COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 APRIL 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
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
In Attendance:
Ms Lucia Wilson (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr David Simpson.
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 McFarland joined the meeting at 10.34 a.m.
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Minutes of meeting held on 13 March 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 13 March 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
Briefing Note from HSENI on incident at construction site
The Committee noted the briefing from HSENI on the incident on a construction site in Belfast on 10 March 2008 and following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Executive requesting a report on the outcome of the investigation once it has been completed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a copy of the HSENI report following its investigation.
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Review of Sustainable Energy Agencies
Officials joined the meeting at 10.36 a.m.
Mr McHugh joined the meeting at 10.37 a.m.
Mr Durkan joined the meeting and assumed the chair at 10.40 a.m.
The Committee noted a briefing from Departmental Officials Jenny Pyper and Alison Clydesdale on the Review of Sustainable Energy Agencies, to ensure that any future sustainable energy delivery mechanism identified will create a supportive and enabling environment for sustainable development in Northern Ireland and to develop an integrated and co-ordinated approach to servicing the Northern Ireland Sustainable energy market support system.
Agreed: The Clerk would request a copy of the 36 recommendations arising from the Review, from the department.
Mr Newton left the meeting at 11.40 a.m.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.42 a.m.
Officials left the meeting at 11.46 a.m.
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Subordinate Legislation
Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Committee noted proposals from DETI for a minor amendment to the Statutory Rule relating to the Companies (Tables A-F) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
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Inquiry into Credit Unions
Members discussed and agreed the Inquiry Plan on how to progress the Credit Union Inquiry.
Ms McCann left the meeting at 12.07 p.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to Phases I, II and III of the plan to progress the Inquiry into Credit Unions
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Consumer Council Combined Energy and Water Forward Work Programme
The Committee noted the response from the Committee for Regional Development on the Consumer Councils Forward Work Programme for Energy and Water.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the Consumer Councils Forward Work Programme.
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Outcome of DETI Budget, PFG and ISNI
The Committee considered information on the outcome of DETI’s Budget, Programme for Government and Investment Strategy and agreed to track and monitor theoutcome of the DETI Budget, PFG and ISNI.
The Committee noted a copy letter to the Clerk for Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister regarding the Integrated Development Fund
Agreed : The Committee agreed to track and monitor theoutcome of the DETI Budget, PFG and ISNI.
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Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered the current Forward Work Programme and discussed the feasibility of a number of visits before the summer recess.
Members noted the response from Minister Dodds, providing clarification on those DETI functions which will transfer to new Local councils and the implications for DETI of the Executive’s decision and agreed to receive an oral briefing from the department in May 2008.
Mr Cree left the meeting at 12.30 p.m.
The Committee agreed to issue an invitation to the Utility Regulator to brief the Committee in April 2008.
Agreed : The Committee will receive an oral briefing from the Utility Regulator in April and for its programme to be published on the Committee website.
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Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Letter from Minister Dodds on the review of Public Administration and a review of DETI Functions to transfer to local government..
- Letter from DETI Departmental Liaison Officer advising the Committee of its intention to consult with the telecoms industry and other relevant organisations in relation to Next Generation Network Services (NGNS) in Northern Ireland
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a briefing from the Department on NGNS following its consultation.
Mr Maskey left the meeting at 12.45 p.m.
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Any Other Business.
Post Office Network Change
The Committee noted correspondence from Royal Mail regarding Post Office Network Change. Members were advised that the Post Office is due to meet with the Committee next week.
Telephone contact with INI
Members raised concerns about their inability to make telephone contact with INI. The Clerk agreed to investigate the matter.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 10 April 2008 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.47 p.m.