COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Diarmaid Elder (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Robin Newton
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jim Wells
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 21 May.
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 21 May were agreed.
3. Matters arising.
Members noted further information supplied by the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Group (NIM), regarding the disparity in bank charges here and in GB. Agreed: To wait for outcome of briefing.
Members noted a letter from the Utility Regulator in response to comments made by the NIM regarding the increase in energy prices.
Members noted a briefing paper from the Department providing an update on recent meetings the Minister held with the PMS Administratior and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Agreed: To clarify which Treasury Secretary is currently dealing with PMS.
Members noted an updated briefing paper on Project Kelvin.
Members also noted that a request for information relating to EU Funding and the Tourism Signature Projects was still outstanding from 26 March.
Agreed: To write to the Minister regarding outstanding requests.
Members noted the Clerk’s paper on the Economic Downturn.
Agreed: To prepare a motion for debate in the Plenary. Share information with relevant committees.
Members noted an information pack supplied by Invest NI in relation to the Minister’s statement on the introduction of the Short Term Aid Scheme.
Agreed: To discuss further with Invest NI officials when they brief the Committee on the 11 June.
4. NIAUR Social Action Plan
Members received an oral briefing from the Utility Regulator, Iain Osborne and NIAUR Officials, Tanya Wishart and Kevin Shiels.
5. Energy Issues
The Utility Regulator also briefed the Committee on Energy Issues.
Agreed:
6. Debt Relief Bill
Members received an oral briefing from Reg Nesbitt, Head of Insolvency Services, Jack R eid and Chris Nesbitt from Insolvency Services.
7. Next Generation Broadband Services
Members received an oral briefing from Fiona Hepper, Head of Strategic Policy Division, Alberta Pauley and Trevor Forsythe, Telecoms Policy Unit.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee discussed the upcoming schedule.
9. Correspondence.
The Committee noted the following correspondence.
- Letter from the Department regarding the Natural Gas Industry in Northern Ireland.
10. Any Other Business.
There was no other business.
11. Date of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 June at 10.30 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.10pm