COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 11 September 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell 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 David Simpson MP
The meeting began at 10.35 a.m. in closed session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
No new interests were declared.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.38 a.m.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 3 July 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 3 July, 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
The Chair provided members with details of a recent meeting held with representatives from the main local banks and the British Bankers Association
The meeting moved into Public Session at11.17 a.m.
5. Energy Price Increases
Officials joined the meeting at 11.25 a.m.
Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation officials, Iain Osborne, Utility Regulator, Dermot MacCann, Electricity Director and Brain McHugh, Gas Director briefed the Committee on increases in gas and electricity prices. Key issues discussed included the background to price increases, the scrutiny and consultation process and energy companies’ profit margins.
Officials left the meeting at 12.55 p.m.
The meeting was suspended at 12.56 p.m.
The meeting resumed at 12.58 p.m.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
6. Briefing from the Consumer Council – Energy Price Increases
Consumer Council Officials joined the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
Consumer Council Officials Eleanor Gill, Stephen Costello and Sinead Dynan briefed the Committee on increases in gas and electricity prices. Key issues discussed included the impact on consumers and the increasing numbers of households being driven into fuel poverty, the Consumer Council’s involvement in the consultation process and what can be done in the long and short term to mitigate the impact. The Consumer Council advised that whilst they were satisfied with the evidence provided by the regulator regarding the price increase to gas, there remained an information gap in relation to the electricity price increase.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 1.20 p.m.
Leslie Cree left the meeting at 1.40 p.m.
Consumer Council officials left the meeting at 1.58 p.m.
Agreed: That the Committee would further consider the evidence heard today at next weeks’ meeting.
7. Briefing on the Evaluation of the Strategic Energy Framework
Agreed: This item to be carried forward to next weeks’ meeting.
8. September Monitoring
Agreed: This item to be carried forward to next weeks’ meeting.
9. SL1: The Companies (1986 Order) (Annual Return) and Companies (Principal Business Activities) (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008
Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.
Simon Hamilton left the meeting at 2.07 p.m.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 2.08 p.m.
10. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: This item to be carried forward to next weeks’ meeting.
11. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Letter from NI Tourist Board requesting a meeting with the Chair.
- Letter from the Minister regarding North/South Ministerial Council’s Trade and Business Development Sectoral meeting on 29 May 2008.
- Letter from the Clerk of the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding their report on Building Regulations.
- InterTradeIreland - Annual Report and Accounts (2006)
12. Any Other Business.
Members noted that the Chair, with the Chair of the Committee for regional Development, had co-hosted the launch of the Utility Regulator’s Annual Report.
Members noted that a ‘Lobby Day’ will be held by the Construction and Property Steering Group on Monday 15 September at 1.30 pm in room 135 Parliament Buildings.
Members noted that the Minister recently gave approval for the Health and Safety Executive to begin a public consultation on proposals for Health and Safety Executive (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2008.
Members noted that the NI Energy Forum is holding an event on 13 November 2008.
Members noted a request from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister that a letter be passed to the Minister regarding the US/NI Investment Conference.
Agreed: That the letter should be passed to the Minister.
Members noted that a press release issued by Save the Children which had been placed on the Committee website has been removed as it contained inaccurate information.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 18 th September at 10.00 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.38 p.m.