COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 7 February 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
No apologies recorded.
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in public session.
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
Mr McHugh joined the meeting at 10.38 a.m.
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Minutes of meeting held on 31 January 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 31 January 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
The Committee noted that, as previously agreed, the Chair and Deputy Chair had met to discuss the bids submitted relating to the commissioning of research in regard to the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan. Following deliberations the Chair and Deputy Chair had agreed to award the contract to Nola Hewitt-Dundas.
Members noted that the views of the Regional Development Committee had been sought in relation to the Consumer Councils’ report on Energy and Water.
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All Island Grid Study
Officials joined the meeting at 10.47 a.m.
Departmental Officials Jenny Pyper and Fred Frazer briefed the Committee on the latest developments in relation to the All Island Grid Study. Key issues raised included planning concerns, system operation and reliability of supply, implementation and funding issues.
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Implementation of the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive
Departmental Officials Jenny Pyper and Alison Clydesdale briefed the Committee on the Implementation of the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive.
Ms McCann and Mr McHugh left the meeting at 11.53 a.m.
Officials left the meeting at 11.57 a.m.
Ms McCann rejoined the meeting at 12.00 p.m.
Mr McHugh rejoined the meeting at 12.01 p.m.
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Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre
Officials joined the meeting at 12.05
Madeline Black and Kevin McGarry, Moyle District Council and Hilary McGrady and Graham Thompson, the National Trust briefed the Committee on the latest developments in relation to their joint plans to build a Visitor’s Centre at the Giant’s Causeway. Key issues discussed included sources of funding, possible time line for planning application, the Memorandum of Understanding and the wider relationship between the Council, the Trust and the Department.
Officials left the meeting at 12.36 p.m.
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Varney II
Officials joined the meeting at 12.48 p.m.
Departmental officials, Graeme Hutchinson, (Head of Economics Division), Noel Lavery, (Head of Management Services Group) and Tony Simpson, (Economics Division), briefed the Committee on the Departments views in relation to the Varney Review of the Competitiveness of Northern Ireland. Key issues discussed included the likely main themes of the Department’s response to the Varney call for evidence
Officials left the meeting at 1.07 p.m.
Agreed: That officials would share background papers on the review.
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The Future Together Initiative
Representatives joined the meeting at 1.10 p.m.
Briefing was provided by representatives of the Future Together Initiative, Irene Sherry, John Loughran, Paul Roberts and Mary Black. Key issues discussed included the need for the voluntary and community sector working in partnership with Government, promotion of a fairer and more inclusive society and the possibility of a community fringe element at the US/NI Investment Conference.
Representatives left the meeting at 1.45 p.m.
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DETI and Invest NI Draft Corporate Plans 2008 – 2011
Members briefly considered the draft Committee responses to the DETI and Invest NI draft Corporate Plans.
Agreed: To consider this item further at next week’s meeting.
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Consumer Council Dinner with Brian Pomeroy
Members noted the Consumer Councils’ report of the main areas of discussion at the dinner event hosted by the Consumer Council on 28 January 2008.
Agreed: To consider this item further at a later meeting.
Mr McFarland left the meeting at 1.46 p.m.
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Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
Members noted the content of the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Agreed : That the Committee had no comment to make at this stage, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules report.
Ms McCann and Mr Maskey left the meeting at 1.47 p.m.
- Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Letter from DETI Energy Division re: Draft Legislation Relating to offshore Electricity Developments.
- Letter from Clerk to All Statutory Committee Clerks re: DRD additions to the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plans
- Letter from DETI Departmental Liaison Officer re: Decision by Finance Minister to drop plans on regulations to force developers to build environmentally-friendly homes.
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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 written briefing from the Department in relation to the Reconnect Grant Scheme.
Agreed: That the Clerk to make arrangements for briefing from the Sustainable Energy Building Forum.
Members noted the Invest NI Performance Report 2002/03 – 2006/07.
Members noted the invitation from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for the Committee to attend the launch of their 60 th anniversary commemorative booklet on 21 February.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 14 February at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.50 p.m.