COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 15 May 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
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:
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at 10.38am in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 May, 2008.
Agreed: - The draft minutes of the meeting on 1 May, 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters arising.
There were no matters arising.
5. Written Briefing from DETI - The Gas Industry.
Members noted the content of the written briefing from DETI Energy Division.
6. Briefing from Phoenix Natural Gas.
Representatives from Phoenix Natural Gas joined the meeting at 10.43am.
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.46am.
Phoenix Gas representatives Sir Gerry Loughran, Chairman, Peter Dixon, Chief Executive and David Strahan briefed the Committee on the background to their organisation and recent price rises. Key issues discussed included the availability and coverage of natural gas, the volatility of the wholesale natural gas market and the background to the latest price increase including the impact of speculation. Representatives expressed their desire to see less regulation and greater expansion of their business.
7. Representatives from the Phoenix Natural Gas left the meeting at 11.58am
Briefing from Consumer Council Officials on Rising Energy Prices.
Officials joined the meeting at 12.01pm.
Consumer Council officials Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive, Sinead Dynan and Richard Williams briefed the Committee on rising energy prices. Key issues discussed included the reasons for price rises and the effect this has on fuel poverty, the comparison in energy prices between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and what steps could be taken to mitigate the impact of rising prices. The Consumer Council also described its’ watchdog role in relation to regulated energy costs.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 12.30pm.
David Simpson left the meeting at 12.57pm.
Officials left the meeting at 1.03pm.
8. Tackling Fuel Poverty: A Partnership Approach.
The Committee noted the content of the Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Advisory Group Annual Report 2007.
9. Review of Sustainable Energy Agencies.
The Committee noted the content of a DETI paper on the Review of Sustainable Energy Agencies which contained the recommendations made following the review of the Northern Ireland energy market.
10. Consideration of Committee Motion on Rising Energy Prices.
The Committee discussed the possible wording of a Committee Motion.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider a skeleton motion at next week’s meeting.
11. US/NI Investment Conference
The Committee discussed the recent US/NI Investment Conference.
Agreed: To invite the Minister to attend to brief the Committee on the conference.
Agreed: To write to the Minister and Invest NI congratulating them on a successful event.
12. Reform of Renewables Obligation: Preliminary Consultation
Members considered proposals from the Department regarding preliminary consultation concerning the reform of the renewables obligation.
Agreed: That members were content with the proposals.
13. Forward Work Programme.
Members noted the content of the most recent Forward Work Programme. Members discussed a recent invitation from Derry City Council askng the Committee to visit.
Agreed: That, when it is not possible for a Committee visit/meeting to be arranged, that members consider the possibility of sending a delegation instead.
Agreed: That NIE be invited to brief the Committee on 29 May.
Agreed: To receive briefing from the NI Retail Association on 5 June.
Agreed: To receive briefing from the Department regarding Quarterly Monitoring on 13 June.
Agreed: The Forward Work Programme was agreed.
14. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
183 letters of support for the proposed Rose Energy Biomass Power Plant.
Agreed: That the Committee would consider written briefing from the Department at next week’s meeting.
A flyer from the Sustainable Development Commission regarding a lecture they are holding on 29 May.
An extract from BBC News Website dated 14 May regarding Invest NI.
A copy of NI Tourist Board draft Corporate Plan 2008 – 11.
15. Any Other business
Members considered an invitation to submit views to the Finance and Personnel Committee in advance of their evidence session with Sir David Varney.
Agreed: That the Committee would not submit views or comments.
Members considered proposals from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding templates to be used in quarterly monitoring rounds.
Agreed: To share this template with the Department.
The Committee noted details of the arrangements regarding future interaction with the newly established Performance and Efficiency Unit.
The Clerk advised members on the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation’s consultation on sustainability.
Agreed: That the Committee would return to this at a later meeting.
The meeting went into closed session at 1.46pm
The meeting went into public session at 1.54pm
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 22 May at 10.30am in Room 21 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.55pm.