COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 4 December 2008
InterTradeIreland Headquarters, Newry
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Robin Newton
Mr Jim Wells
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting opened at10.09 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 27 November 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 27 November 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Members noted the content of a letter sent by the Chair to the Utility Regulator regarding the review of energy prices. The Chairperson updated members on the recent briefing on the review of energy prices from the Utility Regulator Iain Osborne and Douglas McIldoon.
Members noted correspondence and a copy of the Minster’s recent statement regarding the independent review of economic development policy in Northern Ireland.
Members noted responses from Phoenix Gas and NIE Energy regarding pre-payment meters.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Consumer Council seeking their views.
5. InterTradeIreland Briefing
InterTradeIreland Chief Executive Liam Nellis joined the meeting at 10.22 a.m.
Robin Newton joined the meeting at 10.37 a.m.
The Chief Executive of InterTradeIreland, Liam Nellis, briefed the Committee on the role of InterTradeIreland and the key issues facing the organisation.
InterTradeIreland Chief Executive Liam Nellis left the meeting at 11.12 a.m.
The meeting was suspended at 11.12 a.m. and resumed at 11.25 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 11.25 a.m.
6. December Monitoring
Department Officials Noel Lavery, Head of Management Services and Bernie Brankin, Head of Finance Branch joined the meeting at 11.26 a.m.
Department Officials Noel Lavery, Head of Management Services and Bernie Brankin, Head of Finance Branch briefed members on the Department’s December Monitoring. Key issues discussed included reclassification, reallocations and reduced requirements due to the current economic conditions.
Department Officials Noel Lavery, Head of Management Services and Bernie Brankin, Head of Finance Branch left the meeting at 11.43 a.m.
7. Briefing from the Consumer Council
Consumer Council Chief Executive Eleanor Gill joined the meeting at11.52 a.m.
The meeting went into closed session from 11.52 a.m.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 12.07 p.m.
The meeting returned to Public Session at 12.25 p.m.
Agreed: To write to the British Banker’s Association regarding communication with local banks.
8. Regional Innovation Strategy – Written Briefing
Members noted the content of an Interim Progress Report on the Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan 2008 – 2001.
Agreed: That the Clerk should write to the Department requesting changes in report structure.
Agreed: That oral briefing from officials should be arranged for next Spring.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence:
- Letter & policy document from Help the Aged regarding their ‘Can’t Heat or Eat’ Campaign dated 21 Nov 2008.
Agreed: To write to Help the Aged in support of their campaign.
- E-mail & attachments from Citizens Advice regarding trends and changes in debt dated 26 November 2008. They also touch on the proposed Debt Relief Bill and other debt resolution methods.
Agreed: To write to Citizens advice and seek an oral briefing at a future date.
- Letter from Clerk of the Finance & Personnel Committee dated 27 November 2008, to all Statutory Committee Clerks enclosing a letter from DFP to the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the strategic Stocktake process.
- Copy of a letter from the Minister for Finance and Personnel to the Chair of the employment and Learning Committee regarding the downturn in the construction industry dated 27 November 2008.
- Letter from the Minister dated 26 November regarding Implementation of the EU Services Directive.
- Memo from Clerk of the Committee on Procedures dated 27 November regarding their inquiry into Assembly Questions asking for this Committee’s approval to forward a letter to the DETI Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer.
Agreed: To pass the letter to the DETI Departmental Assembly Liaison Officer.
10. Any Other Business.
The Chairperson updated members on a recent briefing he had received from a consortium regarding tidal energy.
Agreed: To seek an oral briefing for members at a future date.
Members discussed the imminent publication of Douglas McIldoon’s report into his review of the energy tariff setting process.
Agreed: To issue a press release on 5 December.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 December at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.36 p.m.