Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Robin Newton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP

In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Mr Paul Butler
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Jim Wells

The meeting opened at 10.36 a.m. in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.

  1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Declaration of Interests.

There were no new interests declared.

The meeting was suspended at 10.44 a.m.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.48 a.m. and took the Chair.
The meeting resumed at 10.49 a.m.

  1. Minutes of meeting held on 20 November 2008.

Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 20 November 2008 were agreed.

  1. Matters Arising.

Members noted a response from the Minister regarding the pension position of former LEDU employees.

Members noted a media release on the Utility Regulator’s planned review of electricity prices. Members also received an update on the current review of gas prices.

Agreed: That the Chairperson would write to the Utility Regulator urging early publication of Douglas McIldoon’s report.

Members noted a response from the Minister regarding the Titanic Signature Project.

Simon Hamilton & Robin Newton left the meeting at 11.02 a.m.
The meeting was suspended at 11.02 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting 11.26 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 11.27 a.m.

  1. Briefing from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions.

The Chairperson updated members on the Treasury announcement that it will be conducting a review of the regulation of credit unions.

Officials from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions joined the meeting at 11.28 a.m.

Ulster Federation of Credit Union officials Tommy Jeffers, Development and Share Officer, John Junkin, Board Member and Gladys Copeland, coordinator briefed the Committee on issues raised during the Inquiry into credit unions. Key issues discussed included the possible options for future regulation.

Officials from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions left the meeting at 12.06 p.m.

  1. Briefing from the Irish League of Credit Unions

Officials from the Irish League of Credit Unions joined the meeting at 12.07 p.m.

Simon Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 12.10 p.m.

Irish League of Credit Union officials Uel Adair, President, Kieron Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Helferty, Director and Fiona Cullen, Head of Legal & Secretariat briefed the Committee on issues raised during the Inquiry into credit unions. Key issues discussed included the possible options for future regulation.

Robin Newton rejoined the meeting at 12.36 p.m.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 1.04 p.m.

Officials from the Irish League of Credit Unions left the meeting at 1.07 p.m.

  1. Bioenergy Strategy

Members noted a written briefing from the Department regarding a report on the assessment of the potential for Bioenergy development in Northern Ireland.

  1. Forward Work Programme

Members noted an updated version of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: That the next meeting of the Committee on 4 December will begin at 10.00a.m.

Agreed: That the Committee will hold an additional (closed) meeting on Tuesday 16 December at 10.30 a.m.

Agreed: That oral briefing on Matrix should be arranged for 11 December.

  1. Correspondence

The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:

Agreed: To pass the l etter from the Chair of the Committee for the Office of the First & deputy First Minister to the Minister.

  1. Any Other Business.

There were no other items of business.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 4 December at 10.00 a.m. in the Headquarters of InterTradeIreland, Newry.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.15 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
November 2008.

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