COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
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 Leslie Cree
Mr Jim Wells
The meeting opened at 10.39 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 25 September 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 25 September 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Agreed: That the Committee would seek an update from the Department in relation to the Gobbins Cliff Path.
5. Subject – Briefing from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
The Minister and officials joined the meeting at 10.42 a.m.
Alan McFarland joined the meeting at 10.43 a.m.
The Minister and Departmental officials David Sterling and Graeme Hutchinson briefed the Committee on the economic challenges facing Northern Ireland. Key issues discussed included the economic downturn and the impact this might have and the proposed review of Invest Northern Ireland.
The Chairperson raised his concerns regarding the 2008 budget process for the 2009 - 2010 financial year.
The Minister and officials left the meeting at 11.47 a.m.
6. Briefing from Ofcom – Roll Out of Next Generation Broadband Networks.
Ofcom officials joined the meeting at 11.57 a.m.
Ofcom officials Denis Wolinski, Director for Northern Ireland and Clive Carter, Strategy Team briefed the Committee on the roll out of Next Generation Broadband Networks. Key issues discussed included current broadband picture, Ofcom’s role and policy goals and specific issues for Northern Ireland.
Ofcom officials left the meeting at 12.30 p.m.
Paul Butler and Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 12.31 p.m.
Alan McFarland and Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.32 p.m.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.32 p.m.
Alan McFarland and Jennifer McCann rejoined the meeting at 12.36 p.m.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 12.36 p.m.
7. Briefing from Invest NI – Start a Business Programme.
Officials joined the meeting at 12.37 p.m.
Departmental officials Graham Davis and Paul Brush briefed the Committee on the Start a Business Programme. Key issues discussed included the feedback received from previous participants and the rationale for the changes being introduced to the programme.
Officials left the meeting at 1.05 p.m.
8. Committee Response to Inquiry into the Review of the Budget Process.
The Committee considered a draft response to the Finance and Personnel Committee’s Inquiry into the Review of the Budget Process.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to further consider an amended draft response at next week’s meeting.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 1.18 p.m.
9. DETI Outturn 2007 – 2008.
The Committee noted a paper from the Department providing details of the Outturn for 2007 – 2008. Members also considered the offer from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the supply of forecast outturn data.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive this information on a bi-monthly basis and that it should be dealt with in Committee as an item of correspondence.
10. SL1: The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider this item at next week’s meeting.
11. Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider this item at next week’s meeting.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 1.28 p.m.
12. Correspondence.
The Committee noted the following correspondence.
- Invitation to members to attend the launch of the MATRIX report on 8 October.
13. Any Other Business.
There was no other business.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 9 October at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.39 p.m.
Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
October 2008.