COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
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:
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in public session.
1. Election of Chairperson
In the absence of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, the Clerk took the chair for the election of a committee chairperson. Robin Newton proposed that Sean Neeson do take the chair of the Committee. Jim Wells seconded the proposal. No other nominations were received by the Clerk, and Sean Neeson was duly elected as chairperson.
Sean Neeson assumed the chair at 10.36 a.m.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.3. Minutes of meeting held on 5 March 2009
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 5 March 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising
Members further discussed the invitation from the Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust.
Agreed: That Simon Hamilton would be attending on behalf of the Committee.
Members noted that the Committee Office would arrange a further briefing from Enterprise NI regarding the new 'Start a Business' programme.
Members noted the partially redacted contract document for Project Kelvin.
Members noted that an informal meeting with Eleanor Gill, Consumer Council, has been arranged for 23 March at 4.00 p.m. in Parliament Buildings.
Members considered a Clerk’s paper on Post Project Evaluations.
Agreed: To proceed on the basis of the Clerk’s paper.
Members discussed the matter of the 10-day payment target.
Agreed: To seek this information from the Minister for Finance and Personnel and to share the figures with Enterprise NI.
5. NITB Branding Strategy
NITB Representatives joined the meeting at 10.42 a.m.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.52 a.m. and took the Chair.
NITB Representatives Alan Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, and Peter Anderson, Creative Director, Anderson Studio briefed the Committee on NI Tourism Branding Strategy. Officials also provided an overview of the opportunities and threats to tourism posed by the current economic downturn.
Agreed: To seek further briefing on economic downturn from NITB and Tourism Ireland
Agreed: To provide NITB with details of the UK Business Incubation seminar.
Simon Hamilton joined the meeting at 11.05 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.24 a.m.
Jim Wells left the meeting at 11.38 a.m.
NITB Representatives left the meeting at 12.01 p.m.
6. Strategic Energy Framework
DETI Officials joined the meeting at 12.02 p.m.
Jenny Pyper, Head of DETI Energy Division, Olivia Martin, Energy Division and Paul Dolaghan, Energy Co-Ordination Branch briefed the Committee on the Strategic Energy Framework. Key issues discussed included the findings of the pre-consultation scoping exercise, security of supply, retail market competition and how further work will be taken forward and the probable timetable.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 1.00 p.m.
7. Renewables Obligation Order (NI) 2009
Jenny Pyper, Head of DETI Energy Division, Olivia Martin, Energy Division and Paul Dolaghan, Energy Co-Ordination Branch updated members on the above Order.
Agreed: That the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee has considered the Renewables Obligation Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 and recommend that it be affirmed by the Assembly.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 1.13 p.m.
DETI Officials left the meeting at 1.14 p.m.
8. SR66/2009: Weights & Measures (Passing as fit for use for Trade) (Adjustment Fees) Regulations (NI) 2009 & SR67/2009: Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Verification Fees) Regulations (NI) 2009
Members considered the above Statutory Rules.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Weights and Measures (Passing as Fit for Use for Trade and Adjustment Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
Agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Verification Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report, has no objection to the Rule.
Agreed: To seek further clarification on the percentage increases and to ensure that it is made available to all Assembly Members.
9. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Copy of letter from the Minister to Gregory Campbell regarding DCAL’s development of a museums policy.
- Copy of a letter from the Minister to Barry McElduff regarding the CAL Committee Inquiry into the funding of the Arts.
- Copy of a memo from the Clerk of the Committee on Procedures regarding their Inquiry into Legislative Consent Motions.
Agreed: To pass a letter from the Committee on Procedures to the Department.
- Copy of a letter from the Utility Regulator regarding Phoenix Gas Pre-Payment Meter Limit.
- Copy of a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Energy End Use Efficiency & Energy Services Directorate.
- Invitation from the Consumer Council to the launch of a research report on the cost of insurance here.
- News Release from OFCOM on stimulating super-fast Broadband.
- Invitation from Newry Chamber of Commerce to host a Committee meeting in Newry.
- Memo from the Clerk of the Finance & Personnel Committee regarding the Financial Provisions Bill Committee Stage.
- Letter from the Minister regarding the impact of the grant removal from the 'Start a Business' Programme.
10. Any Other Business
Agreed: To send a letter of congratulations to Bombardier on their recent contract to supply 30 CSeries CS100 jets to Lufthansa.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 26 March at 10.30 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.20 p.m.