Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 22 May 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
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: Mr Paul Butler
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson

The meeting opened at 11.05am in public session.

  1. Apologies.

    2. Apologies are detailed above.

  2. Declaration of Interests.

    3. There were no new interests declared.

  3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 15 May, 2008.

    4. Agreed: - The draft minutes of the meeting on 15 May, 2008 were agreed.

  4. Matters arising.

    5. Members noted an extract from Hansard regarding the impact of a break in energy supplies. Members also noted details of the status of ‘Action Renewables’.

    Members considered future briefing on the outcome of the US/NI Investment Conference.

    Agreed: That the Committee would ask for briefing from officials at the Committee meeting on 13 June.

    Members noted that copies of the presentations provided by Phoenix Gas and the Consumer Council had been passed to the Clerks of the Committees for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister, Social Development and Agriculture and Rural Development.

    Members noted that the Minister had unbreakable diary commitments and would be unable to brief the Committee before he possibly changes portfolio.

    Agreed: That officials should be asked to brief the Committee at the meeting of 13 June.

  5. Briefing from Enterprise Equity Fund Management (NI) Ltd.

    6. Representatives from Enterprise Equity Fund Management (NI) Ltd joined the meeting at 11.10am.

    Enterprise Equity representatives Aidan Langan and Brian Cummings briefed the Committee on the need for private equity in the Northern Ireland Economy. Key issues discussed included the low rate of private equity involvement in Northern Ireland, the reasons behind this and the benefits to be gained from greater participation.

    Representatives from Enterprise Equity Fund Management (NI) Ltd left the meeting at 11.37am.

  6. Rose Energy Power Plant

    7. Members noted the content of a briefing paper provided by the Department.

    Agreed: That oral briefing should be requested from the Department and from Rose Energy.

    Agreed: That the Clerk would scope what research is currently available and to liaise with the Clerk of the Environment Committee regarding the most appropriate approach.

    Agreed: That the Chair would raise the issue of corporate responses by Committees within the Chairperson’s Liaison Group.

    Agreed: That the letters of support should be acknowledged.

    David Simpson left the meeting at 11.49am.

  7. Briefing from Firmus Energy.

    8. Representatives from Firmus Energy joined the meeting at 11.50am.

    Firmus Energy representatives Michael Scott and Mark Prentice briefed the Committee. Key issues discussed included Firmus Energy’s method of purchase and ability to price-cap, delays in the decision-making process concerning public sector estate converting to gas and the benefits to be gained from expansion of their network. Firmus also suggested to the Committee that a scheme, similar to ‘Reconnect’, should be made available and discussed ways in which this could be financed.

    Representatives from Firmus Energy left the meeting at 12.39pm.

    Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.39pm.

  8. Consideration of the Committee Motion on Rising Energy Prices.

    9. Members discussed the possibility of a Committee Motion on rising energy prices.

    Agreed: That the Committee would consider this option at a later date.

  9. UK Marine Bill – Written Briefing from DETI.

    10. The Committee noted the content of the written briefing papers from DETI and DOE.

    Agreed: That the Committee will consider the Environment Committee’s response and that DETI officials should provide oral briefing.

  10. Forward Work Programme.

    11. Members noted the content of the most recent Forward Work Programme.

    Agreed: The Forward Work Programme was agreed.

    Agreed: That the Clerk should source copies of the House of Commons research paper and Hansard extract regarding the recent debate on business regulation.

  11. Correspondence

    12. Members noted the following items of correspondence:

    Letter from Strabane District Council regarding impact of rising oil prices.

    Agreed: That the Clerk should copy the letter to the DSD and DOE Committees.

    Letter from Sainsburys inviting the Chair to an evening reception. Members noted that as the Chair was unavailable the Deputy Chair would attend instead.

    Letter from Utility Regulators Office and copy of consultation document.

    Letter and booklet from Mourne Heritage Trust regarding the future of rural housing.

    Letter from the Chairperson of the Employment and Learning Committee and a research report entitled ‘Diversity Works’.

    Agreed: To send a copy of the report to the DETI Minister.

    Copy of the Regional Innovation Strategy Action Plan 2008-11.

  12. Any Other business

    13. Members noted a copy of the executive summary of an Invest NI Report on the Evaluation of Young Enterprise NI.

    Agreed: That the Committee’s comments are passed to the Environment Committee.

    Members noted details of the Energy Ireland Conference 2008.

  13. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 29 May at 11.00am in Titanic House, Queens Road Belfast.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm.

Mr Mark Durkan
Chairperson, Committee for Enterprise, Trade & Investment.
May, 2008.

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