COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 5 February 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Sean Neeson
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 Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Gerry McHugh
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 29 January 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 29 January 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
The Chairperson updated members on his recent meeting with the Minister. Members noted that briefing has been arranged for the next Committee meeting from departmental officials and representatives from Hibernia Atlantic.
5. Outcome of NIRO Reform Consultation & SL1 – Proposal for Renewables Obligation Order (NI) 2009
Official joined the meeting at 11.14 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.17 a.m.
Malachy McKernan, Deputy Principal, DETI Energy Division briefed members on the outcome of the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation Reform consultation and the SL1 on proposals for Renewables Obligation Order (NI) 2009. Key issues discussed included the main issues arising from the consultation and the potential difference in the number of ROCs available in Scotland in relation to tidal stream and wave generation.
Agreed: That further clarification should be sought from the Department regarding the ‘ongoing measurement issue’ in terms of what this means and how the regime will operate.
Official left the meeting at 11.39 a.m.
6. February Monitoring
Officials joined the meeting at 11.40 a.m.
Noel Lavery, Head of Management Services, Trevor Cooper, Head of Finance & EU Programmes Division and Bernie Brankin, Head of Finance Branch, briefed members on the DETI February Monitoring. Key issues discussed included monitoring of expenditure, reduced requirements and proposed reductions & reallocations.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 11.55 a .m.
Officials left the meeting at 12.02 p.m.
The meeting went into closed session at 12.03 p.m.
7. Inquiry into the Role and Potential of Credit Unions in Northern Ireland
Agreed: The Committee agreed the following sections of the report:
Executive Summary – read and agreed.
Summary of Recommendations – read and agreed.
Introduction – read and agreed.
Key Issues and Findings – read and agreed as amended.
Options for Change – read and agreed.
Conclusions – read and agreed as amended.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the following papers should be appended to the Committee’s report:
Minutes of Proceedings
Minutes of Evidence
List of Written Submissions to the Committee
Written Submissions to the Committee
List of Witnesses Who Gave Evidence to the Committee
List of Research Papers
Research Papers
List of Other Evidence Considered by the Committee
Other Evidence Considered by the Committee
List of Abbreviations
The meeting returned to public session at 12.45 p.m.
8. Terms of Reference for the Finance & Personnel Committee’s Scrutiny of Public Procurement Policy
The Committee considered the draft terms of reference supplied by the Finance and Personnel Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward comments on the draft terms of reference to the Finance and Personnel Committee.
9. Forward Work Programme
Members noted a draft copy of the revised Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The revised Forward Work Programme was agreed.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Invitation from Belfast City Airport asking if the Committee would be interested in a tour of the facility and holding a meeting there.
- Letter from the Clerk of the Culture Arts & Leisure Committee seeking approval to pass a letter to Minister regarding their proposed Inquiry into the funding of the Arts.
Agreed: To pass the letter to the Minister.
- Memo from Central Committee Office regarding a series of meetings being held by the Engagement Directorate.
- Letter from Energy Ireland advertising their annual Energy Conference which is planned for 10 & 11 June in Dublin.
- Letter from DFP, received via the Clerk of the Finance & Personnel Committee regarding the potential clawback of EU grants.
Agreed: To seek a briefing note on this matter from the Department.
11. Any Other Business.
The Chair provided members with details of the availability of a central budget for the engagement of special advisors by Committees.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 th February at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.02 p.m.