COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT
Minutes of Proceedings
TUESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2007
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Robin Newton
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
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:
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr David Simpson MP
The meeting opened at 2.10 p.m. in public session
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
Further to issues raised at the meeting on 16 October 2007, the Clerk advised that members are required to declare membership of the Assembly Business Trust if they are members of the Board.
There were no new interests declared.
Agreed: That the Clerk would write to all members to make them aware of the need to declare such an interest.
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Minutes of meeting held on 16 October 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
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Briefing by Economic Development Forum Sub-Group on Innovation.
Mr Frank Bryan (Sub-Group Chair) and Mr Bob Barbour (Sub-Group member) joined the meeting at 2.14 p.m. to give a presentation and answer members’ questions on issues surrounding innovation in Northern Ireland.
Key issues discussed included the need for and barriers to greater innovation and risk taking in the Northern Ireland economy, the Regional Innovation Strategy and the need to further develop collaboration between business, government and academia.
Ms McCann joined the meeting at 2.23 p.m.
The witnesses left the meeting at 2.56 p.m.
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Briefing by Invest NI Officials on Innovation.
Invest NI officials, Ms Tracy Meharg, Mr John Thompson and Ms Olive Hill joined the meeting at 2.57 p.m. to give a presentation and answer members’ questions on issues surrounding innovation in Northern Ireland.
Key issues discussed included the key challenges facing Invest NI and steps it takes to tackle these, the innovation support available to clients. performance measures and the difficulties which some small businesses face in making approaches to Invest NI.
The officials left the meeting at 3.40 p.m.
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Matters Arising.
Members noted that copies of the Sustainable Development Commission’s report: ‘Turning the Tide: Tidal Power in the UK’ would shortly be available in the Committee Office library.
Members considered how best the Committee should show support for the aims of the US Northern Ireland Investment conference in spring 2008.
Agreed: That the Chairperson should write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment highlighting the Committee’s support for this event.
The Chairperson reminded the Committee that members had received invitations to the launch of the Single Electricity Market on 12 November 2007 and to a discussion session hosted by the Institute of Directors on the economy and business issues.
Agreed: That members who wished to attend these events would respond through the Committee Office.
Members noted that details of the Invest NI Trades Events Programme 2008 would be presented to the Committee following agreement with the Invest NI Board and the Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
The Committee also noted that the Report on the Varney Review Tax Policy in Northern Ireland will be available in late autumn.
Mr Newton left the meeting at 3.49 p.m.
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Consideration of Developments at Giant’s Causeway.
The Committee noted information received from the Department for the Environment and news articles in relation to a visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
Members also noted a research paper on the role of UNESCO in the provision of World Heritage Status.
Agreed: That the Clerk would assess the information provided by the Department for the Environment and seek additional information based on this assessment.
Agreed: That research papers commissioned by the Committee would be published on the Assembly website as soon as practically possible.
Agreed: That the Committee would seek clarification in relation to the Minister’s responsibility regarding the strategic direction of tourism in the Causeway area.
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Forward Work Programme.
The Committee discussed the Forward Work Programme October – December 2007.
Agreed: That the Clerk would investigate options for visits in December for consideration for members at the next Committee meeting.
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Any Other Business.
The Committee considered requests from Airtricity to brief members on the issue of renewable energy and from Citizens Advice to meet with the Committee to discuss its first annual report on the Dealing with Debt project.
Agreed: That the Committee would meet with Airtricity and Citizens Advice at a suitable date.
Members noted a submission from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to consultation by the Department of Employment and Learning’s on changes to the recruitment industry law.
Members noted information on DETI policies and legislation considered and screened out for equality impact assessment during 1 April – 30 September 2007.
The Chairperson advised members that, in the Chairperson’s absence the Deputy Chairperson will chair the committee meeting on 8 November 2007.
Members noted that the Deputy Chairperson will launch an event to be hosted by Prime – a national organisation dedicated to helping people over 50 to set up in business – to be held at 11 a.m. on the Long Gallery on Thursday 8 November.
Agreed: That members would elect a temporary Chairperson on 8 November to cover Mr Maskey’s absence.
Members noted a letter from the Committee for Social Development regarding its Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration
Agreed: To forward a letter from the Committee for Social Development seeking input to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Members noted a letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding all departmental under spend on capital projects.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider the information further at a later date.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting, after the autumn recess, will be held on Tuesday 6 November 2007, in room 135, Parliament Buildings at 2.00 p.m. It will be an extra-ordinary meeting to discuss developments at the Giant’s Causeway and to receive briefing from representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The next weekly committee meeting will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday 8 November 2007 in room 21, Parliament Buildings
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.26 p.m.