COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 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
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Mr David Simpson MP
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Ms Eithne Knappitsch (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Gerry McHugh
The meeting opened at 10.33am 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.
- Draft minutes of the meeting held on 3 April, 2008
Agreed - the draft minutes of the meeting on 3 April, 2008 were agreed.
10.34am Ms Jennifer McCann joined the meeting.
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Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
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Subordinate Legislation
Members noted that the following items of subordinate legislation, previously discussed at SL1 stage by the Committee, are subject to negative resolution:
- SR – The Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
- SR – The Companies (Late Filing Penalties) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Members noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules is in the process of examining these rules and his report will be forwarded to Members as soon as it becomes available.
Agreed – The Committee agreed that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has consideredThe Limited Liability Partnerships (Filing Periods and Late Filing Penalties) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008, and subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
Agreed – The Committee agreed that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered The Companies (Late Filing Penalties) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008, and subject to the ESR’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
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Inquiry into Credit Unions
The Committee noted that an updated Credit Union Inquiry plan was provided for Members’ information and that a briefing paper from Research identifying potential consultees, examples of good practice, potential visits and specialists in the field is scheduled for the 24 April 2008.
Members noted a correction in Phase 2 – consultation period of the Credit Union Inquiry plan to read 9 weeks and not 11 weeks as issued the previous week.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Credit Union Inquiry Plan should be shared with the Department.
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Forward Work Programme
A revised Forward Work Programme was tabled.
Members noted that a briefing from Officials on the Renewables Obligation will take place on 17 April, 2008 and noted that proposals from the Committee of Finance and Personnel on the scrutiny of quarterly monitoring rounds will be considered on the 24 April, 2008.
Agreed – Members agreed to request a background briefing on the progress and development of the Gas Market from the Department for 15 April, 2008.
Agreed – Members agreed to request a briefing from Firmus.
The Committee noted a request, received by a Member, from Premier Power to come before the Committee. Members noted that the correspondence received by the Member would be passed on to the Clerk and will subsequently be forwarded to all Committee members.
The Committee noted that following the outcome of the planning application on the Giant’s Causeway Visitor’s Centre by the Minister of the Environment, the Committee for the Environment has now received the planning information it requested.
Members noted that the ETI Committee and the Committee for the Environment had previously agreed to share relevant information on this matter and that this information is available for Members to view. This can be arranged through the ETI Committee Office.
Agreed – The Committee Clerk agreed to provide a synopsis of the planning information available.
Agreed – The Committee agreed to cancel the meeting of 8 May, 2008 in view of the fact that the US/NI Investment Conference is to be held on the same day.
Members noted the indicative dates for research.
Agreed – The Committee agreed that the ETI Committee should monitor the DETI Evaluation Programme and agreed that the Committee Clerk should ensure this programme is reflected in the Forward Work Programme.
10.50 Mr David Simpson joined the meeting.
Members noted that they have been sent a copy of the Evaluation of the Business Health Check – Final Report.
Agreed – The Committee agreed that this report should be reflected in future scrutiny of Invest NI.
Members discussed the US/NI Investment Conference and the need to evaluate the outcomes of the conference.
Agreed – The Committee agreed to request a closed session with the Minister in advance of the US/NI Investment Conference.
Members discussed the upcoming programme of visits to be undertaken by the Assembly and Business Trust and the need for the Committee to be provided with regular associated updates.
Agreed – The Committee agreed to publish the revised Forward Work Programme on the Assembly website.
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Briefing from the Post Office on the Network Change Programme
The Committee were briefed by Barbara Roulston, Sheila McCann and Arthur Magee from the Post Office on the Network Change Programme. A question and answer session followed.
11.25am Mr Simon Hamilton left the meeting.
11.30am Mr Simon Hamilton rejoined the meeting.
12.00am Dr Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting.
12.00am Mr Sean Neeson left the meeting.
The Committee discussed whether it should formally respond to the briefing given by the Post Office on the Network Change Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a draft response to the consultation by the Post Office on the Network Change Programme should be brought forward for consideration by the Committee. The Committee also agreed that parallel to this, the Committee should consider sending correspondence to BERR, taking up the wider issue of the government’s dealings with the question of the Post Office and its future.
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Correspondence (Freedom of Information request)
Members were informed that a response has been received by the NIO to a Freedom of Information request made be the Committee Chairperson on behalf of the Committee on 23 January, 2008.
Agreed : Members agreed that they were content with the Clerk’s recommendation to note the NIO position regarding the use of private sector land at the Giant’s Causeway during the St Andrew’s Talks in 2006.
Agreed : The Committee agreed it is content with the NIO response.
Members discussed the need to look again at development proposals at the Giant’s Causeway at a later date.
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Other Correspondence
Members noted that the Minister has provided a response to the Chair’s letter of 21 February, 2008 which outlined a number of points raised during the briefing by the West Belfast Partnership Board on 31 January.
Members noted that the Minister would be willing to engage with the Partnership Board regarding some of the concerns they have in relation to access to Invest NI estates.
Members noted that the Minister did not comment on the point raised in the letter of 21 February that some of the issues are not solely related to West Belfast.
Agreed : Members agreed that they were content for a copy of the response to be forwarded to the West Belfast Partnership Board.
Members discussed the need to request more detailed and specific information from Invest NI.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that at some point after the US/NI Investment Conference it should either request for INI to come before the Committee or for the Committee to hold a meeting at INI.
Members noted that the Quarry Products Association has written to the Committee in relation to the issue of mineral resource mapping requesting an opportunity to brief the Committee or organise a location visit to a Member site.
Agreed : The Committee agreed that it should either schedule a briefing session or meeting, and agreed that this should be included in the Forward Work Programme.
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Any Other business
There was no other business.
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Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 April at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.30.