COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 14 February 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Maskey (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
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:
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr David Simpson MP
The meeting opened at 10.40 a.m. in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
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Minutes of meeting held on 7 February 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 7 February 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
The Committee further considered the invitation extended at last weeks’ meeting by the Future Together Initiative regarding their conference on 12 March.
Agreed: That members would consider invitations on an individual basis rather than corporately.
The Committee discussed the Ministers’ attendance at next weeks’ meeting.
Agreed: That next weeks’ meeting should begin at 10.00 a.m. and that the Minister would attend, in closed session, at 10.15 a.m.
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Briefing From The Institute of Directors
Representatives joined the meeting at 10.45 a.m.
Institute of Directors representatives, Frank Bryan, Joanne Stewart, Michael Maguire and Michael Murray briefed the Committee on the work of the Institute and also discussed their views on the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan. Key issues discussed regarding the economy included the Institutes view of the need for Government to work more efficiently and in partnership with the private and voluntary sector, the need for the establishment of a ‘champion’ for the economy and the disparity between public and private sector pay. Key issues raised in relation to the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan included the need to make targets more activity focussed rather than outcome focussed, the need to inject new money into the Investment in Skills strategy and the opportunity to use public spending to stimulate the private sector.
Representatives left the meeting at 11.30 a.m.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 11.34 a.m.
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Regional Innovation Strategy Draft Action Plan
The Committee were joined by Dr Nola Hewitt-Dundas at 11.31 a.m. who presented a paper and briefed the Committee on the findings of her research into the Regional Innovation Strategy draft Action Plan.
Mark Durkan took the Chair at 11.45 a.m.
Dr Nola Hewitt-Dundas left the meeting at 12.02 p.m.
Following the presentation members considered other comments on the draft Action Plan and discussed what the main thrust of the Committee response should take.
Agreed: That the Clerk would prepare a draft response for members’ consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
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Briefing From The Northern Ireland Energy Agency
John McMullan, Bryson Charitable Group, Nigel Brady, Northern Ireland Energy Agency and Douglas McIldoon, Northern Ireland Energy Agency joined the meeting at 12.13 p.m. and briefed the Committee. Key issues raised included the problems facing energy users in Northern Ireland and the Agencies’ view that Northern Ireland would be best served by a single non-governmental organisation charged with the implementation of government policy in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Agreed: That the Committee would write to the Minister raising the issues discussed with the NIEA.
Agreed: That the Committee would write to the NIEA seeking further information and clarification on some of the issues raised.
Representatives left the meeting at 12.45 p.m.
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DETI and Invest NI Draft Corporate Plans 2008 – 2011
The Committee considered the draft responses to the DETI and Invest NI Corporate Plans.
Agreed: That the Clerk would arrange for amendments to be incorporated into the final Committee responses.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 1.15 p.m.
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Legislative Consent Motion – UK Energy Bill
Olivia Martin, DETI Energy joined the meeting at 1.17 p.m. and briefed the Committee on the context of the UK Energy Bill and the rationale for the Legislative Consent Motion.
Agreed: That the Committee was content with the wording of the Legislative Consent Motion.
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The ARD Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.
Members noted the Minister’s response to the Chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee regarding their Inquiry into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.
Agreed: That the Committee response should issue from the Clerk.
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Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Memo from Aubrey Sherrard regarding the closure of Seagate Technologies in Limavady.
- Letter from the Minister regarding assistance which will be offered to Aubrey Sherrard by Invest NI.
- Extract from Newspaper regarding the outcome of the first Varney Review.
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Forward Work Programme.
The Committee considered the current Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed with the suggested itinerary provided to them at the meeting.
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Any Other Business.
The Committee considered the briefing note supplied by the Department regarding the early drawdown of monies from EU Programmes.
The Committee noted the draft ‘Better Regulation Annual Report 2006/07’.
Agreed: To consider the report at the Committee meeting on 6 March.
Members noted the invitation for the Chair or Deputy Chair to attend a seminar on the Potential for the Sustainable Development of Bioenergy in Northern Ireland.
Members noted an invitation for the Chair and Deputy Chair to attend the launch of the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted a reply from the Minister in response to a Freedom of Information request regarding the Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre.
Agreed: To consider this response further when other outstanding replies have been received.
Members noted two reports: the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Annual Report and Accounts 2005/06 and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation Annual Report 2006/07.
Members noted a letter from the Committee for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister regarding their Inquiry into Child Poverty.
Agreed: To pass the OFMDFM Committee’s letter to the Minister.
The Committee noted a report entitled ‘Tourism – Strategic Framework for Action’
Agreed: To consider the report in tandem with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Corporate Plan when this is received.
The Committee noted that the Chair had accepted an invitation to a dinner event being hosted by the Utility Regulator on 2 April.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 21 February at 10.00 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.38 p.m.