COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE & INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2007
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
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: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting opened at 10.04 a.m. in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
Mr McFarland joined the meeting at 10.05 a.m.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 23 October 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
The Committee noted correspondence from DETI providing further information on the Committee’s role in the proposed US Northern Ireland Investment Conference and a detailed overview of preparations to date.
Agreed: That the Committee should receive bi-monthly updates on preparations for the Investment Conference.
Members noted the cancellation of the Institute of Directors’ discussion session on issues relating to the economy and business.
Agreed: That the Institute of Directors’ should be invited to brief members at a future committee meeting.
The Deputy Chairperson reminded the Committee that members had been invited to the launch of the Single Electricity Market in the Waterfront Hall on 12 November.
Members considered a range of research paper commissioned by the Committee since May 2007.
Agreed: That the research papers should be posted on the Committee pages of the Assembly website.
The Committee noted the recent publication of the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland’s Report on the Review of Industrial De-Rating.
Agreed: That the copies of the report would be made available to members as soon as possible.
5. Consideration of Committee Response to the Draft Programme for Government & Draft Budget.
Members considered how the Committee should response to the draft Programme for Government and draft Budget.
Mr Neeson joined the meeting at 10.16 a.m.
Agreed: That the Committee would write to a range of key stakeholders seeking views and comments on the DETI draft Budget.
6. Forward Work Programme.
The Committee discussed the Forward Work Programme November – December 2007.
Agreed: That DETI officials should brief members on the outcome of the Review of the Renewables Obligation in GB and on the proposed UK Energy Bill on 22 November 2007.
Agreed: That Heritage Lottery Fund representatives should be invited to brief members on the development and management of World Heritage Sites on 6 December 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider developments at the Giant’s Causeway at the meeting on 6 December 2007.
Agreed: That, if necessary, the Committee would hold an extra-ordinary meeting to discuss development at the Giant’s Causeway prior to 6 December 2007.
The meeting was suspended at 10.38 a.m. to facilitate members who wished to attend the Service of Remembrance.
The meeting was resumed at 11.20 a.m. with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
Mr McFarland rejoined the meeting at the meeting 11.22 a.m.
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 11.25 a.m.
7. Consideration of Developments at Giant’s Causeway.
Members noted correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and supporting documents regarding public expenditure, planning and funding issues surrounding public sector plans for a visitors’ centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
The Committee also noted that DETI officials had advised that there has been no correspondence between the Special Adviser to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Special Adviser to the Minister for the Environment.
8. Subordinate Legislation.
Members considered information on SL1 – The Company and Business Names (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment to make at this stage.
The Committee considered the Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
9. Any Other Business.
Members noted correspondence received from the Utility Regulator introducing the Senior Management team and outlining the role of the Regulator.
Agreed: That the Chair would write thanking the Utility Regulator for their letter and advising that the Committee looked forward to working with the Regulator in the future.
The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the implementation of the EU Services Directive.
Members noted a letter from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding its Inquiry into Child Poverty.
Agreed: To forward a letter from the Committee for Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister seeking input to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
Agreed: That members would await sight of any submission to the Inquiry from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment prior to considering a committee response.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 15 November 2007, in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
Members noted that, due to the World Rally Championship being held within the Stormont Estate, the meeting on 15 November must finish by 12.45 p.m. at the latest to allow car parks to be cleared by 1.00 p.m.
Agreed: That the Committee Office would consider alternative accommodation arrangements to meet on Wednesday 14 November 2007.
Agreed: That the meeting currently scheduled for Thursday 15 November should commence at 10.00 a.m. to allow for an early finish.
11. Briefing by DETI Officials on Tourism Signature Projects.
Mr Neeson declared an interest as a member of the Nomadic Trust, Board of Trustees of the National Museums of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland representative on the UK National Maritime Heritage Committee.
Mr Alan Clarke (Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Tourist Board), Ms Kerrie Sweeney and Ms Siobhan McCauley (Regions & Signature South, Northern Ireland Tourist Board) attended the meeting at 11.30 a.m. and gave a presentation and answered members’ questions on the five tourism signature projects.
Key issued discussed included funding for the Titanic Quarter project, the need for a resolution to concerns surrounding the development of a visitors centre at the Giants Causeway, tourist access to the Mournes and its development as a National Park, promoting the Walled City project and enhancing the St Patrick/Christian heritage trail.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 12.10 p.m.
Mr McFarland rejoined the meeting at 12.17 p.m.
The witnesses left the meeting at 12.20 p.m.
Mr Newton left the meeting at 12.20 p.m.
The Committee discussed the way forward for further consideration of this issue.
Agreed: That Northern Ireland Tourist Board officials should be asked to brief the Committee on its draft Corporate Plan in February 2008.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.29 p.m.