COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 31 JANUARY 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Robin Newton
Mr David Simpson MP
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Leslie Cree
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at 10.34 a.m. in public session.
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
Paul Maskey, Alan McFarland and Robin Newton all declared their membership of the Assembly Business Trust.
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Minutes of meeting held on 24 January 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 24 January 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
The Committee noted that a press release had issued following last week’s meeting correcting erroneous articles which had appeared in the local press regarding the Committee’s deliberations on nuclear energy.
Members noted recent developments in relation to the Inquiry being conducted by the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Agreed: To pass letter from Chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee to the DETI Minister.
Members noted correspondence in relation to Seagate Technologies, Limavady.
Agreed: To send a letter of thanks to the Chairperson of the Employment and Learning Committee.
Mr Simpson joined the meeting at 10.46 a.m.
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Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre
Departmental Officials Noel Cornick and Ciaran McGarrity joined the meeting at 10.46 a.m. and briefed the Committee on the latest developments in relation to the Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre. Key issues discussed included the Department’s future role in the project and what practical and financial assistance it could provide to the National Trust and Moyle District Council.
Officials left the meeting at 11.33 a.m.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.34 a.m.
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West Belfast Partnership Board
Briefing, which began at 11.35 a.m., was provided by representatives of the West Belfast Partnership Board, Noel Rooney, Clare Ferris and Caoimhin Mac Giolla Mhin. Key issues discussed included the role of the board, opportunities and barriers to social and economic development in the area and the need for greater engagement with Invest Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To send a letter to the Minister raising the issues raised by the West Belfast Partnership Board.
Representatives of the West Belfast Partnership Board left the meeting at 12.22 p.m.
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DETI and Invest Northern Ireland Draft Corporate Action Plans
Members noted research papers and briefing provided by Aidan Stennett of the Northern Ireland Assembly Research Team.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting a 12.43 p.m.
Agreed: That members would consider a draft response at next weeks’ meeting.
Aidan Stennett left the meeting at 12.57 p.m.
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Correspondence
- The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Letter from Public Accounts Committee including a copy of their forward work programme.
- Letter from BERR regarding the Future of the Wool Textile Industry
- Letter from Capita Conference regarding Northern Ireland Governance Conference
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Forward Work Programme.
The Committee considered the current Forward Work Programme and discussed the possibility of a series of visits on 28 February.
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Any Other Business.
The Committee considered a draft report from the Consumer Council regarding Water and Energy.
Agreed: That relevant views be sought from the Regional Development Committee
Members noted correspondence from Sir David Varney regarding his call for evidence in relation to his review, ‘Varney Review of the Competitiveness of Northern Ireland’
Agreed: That the Committee should request briefing from the Department and that written views would be sought from relevant outside organisations.
Mr Simpson left the meeting at 1.08 p.m.
Members noted correspondence from the Minister and the Department in relation to the US/NI Investment Conference.
Mr Maskey left the meeting at 1.13 p.m.
The meeting moved into closed session at 1.20 p.m.
Members considered details and costs regarding the commissioning of research in relation to the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan.
Agreed: That the Clerk should invite bids to be resubmitted with a stipulated ceiling on costs and that details of new bids would be shared with members. In addition, given time constraints, members agreed that the Chair and Deputy Chair could make any final decision on the successful bid.
The meeting moved into public session at 1.29 p.m.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7 February at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30p.m.
Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
January 2008.