COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Robin Newton
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Gerry McHugh
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Jim Wells
The meeting opened at 10.40 a.m. in public session.
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.45am.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 18 June.
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 18 June were agreed.
3. Matters arising.
Members noted a paper from the Housing Rights Service on the problem of financial exclusion and housing debt in NI.
Agreed : To seek DETI’s plans for developing a financial inclusion strategy.
Members noted a response by DETI in relation to Electricity Prices.
Agreed: To share DETI’s response with NI Manufacturing.
Members noted a press article in relation to Lombard.
Members noted information from NIAUR regarding Generator Unit Agreements.
Members noted information on Project Kelvin’s contract variation.
Agreed : To see assessment of the variations by DETI and DCENR when completed.
Members noted information from NITB regarding a breakdown of tourists into categories.
Members noted information provided by DETI on the Gas Supplier of Last Resort Regulations.
Members noted the executive summary evaluation of the Reconnect Programme.
Agreed: To request more information on a possible continuation/replacement as it arises.
Members noted briefing paper on the Fusion III project.
Agreed : To seek additional information from DETI.
Members discussed the Linergy Project.
Agreed : To receive a copy of the post evaluation report when it is completed.
Members noted the letter to Ian Pearson regarding UCIT.
Agreed: To copy the letter and UCIT briefing paper to Nigel Fawcett.
Members discussed the tender delay for face-to-face debt advice services.
Members noted the Clerk’s briefing paper on how the Committee and DETI communicate on EU issues.
Agreed: To seek a written briefing paper from DETI and copy the Clerk’s briefing paper and any future written briefing to the OFMDFM Committee.
Members noted the request from the Social Development Committee for the Committee’s views on the Utility Regulator’s Social Action Plan.
Agreed: To share the Committee’s comments with Social Development Committee.
Members discussed the European Public Limited Liability Partnerships Regulations 2009.
Agreed: To share the European Public Limited Liability Partnerships Regulations 2009 briefing paper with the Employment and Learning Committee.
Members discussed the invitation from Social Economy Network to hold a Committee meeting at one of its venues in the greater Belfast area.
Agreed: To accept the invitation after recess.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 11.25am.
4. SR 227/2009 The Health and Safety (Misc. Amendments and Revocation) Regs (NI) 2009.
Agreed : The Committee discussed the Rule and had no comment.
5. Draft Consultation on Tourism Amendments
Members discussed a written briefing from DETI
Agreed : To seek clarification regarding “bunk houses” and their target audience.
6. Results of the Gas Installers Consultation.
Members noted a written briefing from DETI.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 11.46am.
7. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Emails from the Motorhome Association.
Agreed: To write to the Department to ask what consideration has been given to Motorhome Tourism and any overall strategy on the issue.
- Letter from the Employment and Learning Committee regarding the Short Term Aid Scheme.
Agreed: To forward letter to the DETI Minister.
- DETI Research Agenda 08/09 and 09/10.
- Letter from the Finance and Personnel Committee on PEDU review of PSA delivery.
Agreed: To receive quarterly returns on PSA’s from Departments as they are sent to OFMDFM and DFP.
- Letter from NITB including Corporate Plan for 2008/2011.
- Letter from Irish Congress Trade Unions seeking sponsorship for International Workers Memorial Day event on 28 April 2010.
Agreed: For the Clerk to check with Central Committee Office regarding protocol.
- Letter from Minister regarding outstanding requests.
- Letter of response from Minister to Deputy Chair regarding the appeals procedure of the Short Term Aid Scheme.
- Letter from the Minister on the planned Encouraging Company Rescue consultation document.
Agreed: To request an oral briefing from the Department after consultation process.
The meeting was suspended at 12.00pm.
The meeting resumed at 12.30pm.
Gerry McHugh rejoined the meeting at 12.30pm.
8. Strategic Energy Framework and other areas of DETI work
The Committee received an oral briefing from the Minister of Enterprise, Trade & Investment, Graeme Hutchinson, Head of DETI Strategic Planning and Jenny Pyper, Head of DETI Energy Division. Key issues included DETI’s performance for the year 08/09, DETI’s plans for 09/10, plans for the economy and the Strategic Energy Framework.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 1.01pm.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 1.25pm.
9. Any other Business
There were no other items of business.
10. Date of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 2 July at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.29pm