COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT
Minutes of Proceedings
TUESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Robin Newton
Mr David Simpson MP
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Joanne Adair (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at 2.06 p.m. in public session
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
The Chairperson introduced Mr Paul Connolly who has joined the Committee Office team as Assistant Assembly Clerk.
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Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
Agreed: That the Clerk would investigate and report back on whether members should declare membership of the Assembly Business Trust.
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Minutes of meeting held on 9 October 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising from the minutes of the meeting of 9 October 2007.
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Discussion on Evaluation of Regional Innovation Strategy.
Members discussed how the Committee should contribute to the new draft Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan 2008 - 2011 and identified particular areas of interest in relation to innovation.
The Chairperson left the meeting at 2.35 p.m and the meeting was suspended at 2.35 p.m.
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 2.45 p.m. and the meeting was resumed at 2.45 p.m. with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
Agreed: That the Clerk should draft terms of reference for the Committee’s consideration of innovation.
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Consideration of Developments at Giant’s Causeway.
The Committee noted information received from the Committee for the Environment in relation to a visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
Members also considered the Outline Business Plan for the public sector project at the Giant’s Causeway and noted a DETI paper highlighting the key issues arising from the Outline Business Plan.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider the Clerk’s briefing paper at an extra-ordinary meeting on 6 November 2007.
Agreed: That representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund should be asked to brief the Committee at the extra-ordinary meeting on 6 November.
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Subordinate Legislation.
The Committee considered the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed : That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2007 and subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
The Committee considered the Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed : That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2007 and subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
Members noted the Third Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules 2007 -08.
Members considered a letter from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment seeking the Committee’s endorsement for the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee endorsed the proposed Regulations.
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Forward Work Programme.
The Committee discussed the Forward Work Programme and noted DETI/NDPB Corporate Plan timelines October – December 2007
Agreed: That Committee meetings would be held on Thursday mornings with effect from 8 November 2007.
Members considered a letter from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding proposals for a US Northern Ireland Investment Conference in spring 2008.
Agreed: That Invest NI officials should brief the Committee on progress of plans in relations to the US Northern Ireland Invest Conference.
Agreed: That the Clerk should write to Enterprise Northern Ireland to identify a suitable date in December to visit Larne Enterprise Agency (LEDCOM).
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Any Other Business.
Members noted that the Sustainable Development Commission has published a report: ‘Turning the Tide: Tidal Power in the UK’.
Members noted that the Chairperson had forwarded an invitation to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to submit written evidence to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety inquiry into the prevention of suicide and self-harm.
The Committee noted an invitation from the Institute of Directors to a discussion session on issues relating to the economy and business on Thursday 8 November 2007.
Agreed: That members should forward any acceptances through the Committee Office.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 23 October 2007, in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.32 p.m.