COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr David Simpson MP
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Alan McFarland
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
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:
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.59am in public session.
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 8 October.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 8 October were agreed.
3. Matters arising.
Members noted a written briefing from Stubbs Gazette on issues of bankruptcy, individual voluntary arrangements and judgements.
Agreed: To refer to the paper when insolvency matters come to the Committee.
Members discussed a press article relating to the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS).
Agreed: To defer the information for the PMS Ministerial Working Group Report that will come to the Committee on 12 November.
Members noted a press article regarding the Independent Review of Economic Policy.
Members noted a briefing paper on the potential impact of NAMA on Invest NI holdings.
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding the role that Department/Invest NI have in ensuring proper redundancy practices are taking place in Invest NI client companies. Also noted was the joint letter from the Minister and DEL Minster to all licensed insolvency practitioners in NI.
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding the level of funding provided by Invest NI to Stream.
Members noted a memo from the Finance and Personnel Committee Clerk in relation to taking the lead on the issue of the cost of insurance in NI by way of Standing Order 64A.
Agreed: To allow the Finance and Personnel Committee to take the lead on the issue and provide input when necessary.
Members noted a draft Private Members Bill by John McCallister MLA on caravans.
Agreed: To request a briefing from John McCallister MLA and DETI officials on the issue of caravans.
Members noted a Departmental response to a query raised at the meeting on 1 October regarding the SL1: The Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) (No.2).Regulations (NI) 2009.
Agreed: For the SL1 to proceed.
Members discussed a letter from the OFMDFM Committee asking for clarification on the briefing paper submitted to the OFMDFM Committee relating to DETI issues with an EU dimension.
Agreed: To forward the request to DETI indicating a response for next week.
Agreed: For the Committee Office to forward to the response directly to OFMDFM Committee when received.
Members noted that the NI Law Society and Association of British Insurers (ABI) will brief the Committee on the issue of third party capture next week. Lunch in the Brasserie has been organised following the meeting.
Agreed: For Members to notify the Committee Office if they wish to attend the lunch.
4. Regulation of Credit Unions HMT Report –Oral Briefing.
Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 11.10am.
The Committee received an oral briefing from Mike Bohill, Head of Business Regulation Division and Cathal McLaughlin. Key issues included the HMT Credit Unions Report, findings, key recommendations and next steps.
Mr Gregory Campbell declared an interest in Credit Unions.
Dr Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 11.34am
Mr Sean Neeson left the meeting at 11.41am
Agreed: For the Department to provide indicative timings for progress and possible routes for legislation.
Departmental Officials left the meeting at 11.58am.
5. Better Regulation Annual Report – Oral Briefing
Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 11.59am.
The Committee received an oral briefing on the Better Regulation Annual Report 2008/2009 from Mark Pinkerton, Head of DETI Economic Strategy Unit and Martin Graham, Deputy Principal. Key issues discussed included the background of the Report, findings and progress.
Departmental Officials left the meeting at 12.20pm.
6. Forward Work Programme and Possible Committee Visits - Written Briefing
Members discussed the most recent forward work programme and venues from the Social Economy Network for a possible future meeting. Members noted the Deputy Chair’s report on his recent visit to Brussels, and discussed the possibilities/opportunities for European engagement. Members noted the CBI’s response to the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) and discussed further Committee action relating to The Independent Review of Economic Policy.
Agreed: For the Chair and deputy Chair to return next week with a proposed SEN venue for a Committee visit.
Agreed: To decide on which outside bodies to invite to brief the Committee in relation to SEF when the SEF comes to the Committee.
Agreed: To consider a possible European visit early next year.
Agreed: To maintain a scrutinising role in the Department’s recommendations for IREP and get views of key stakeholders when the recommendations come to the Committee.
7. Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Written Briefing
Members noted a Departmental briefing paper regarding the timescale of the papers.
8. Encouraging Company Rescue Report –Written Briefing
The Committee noted a Departmental briefing paper on the outcomes of the Consultation.
9. HSENI Consultation on Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 –Written Briefing
Members noted a HSENI consultation document on Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009
Mr David Simpson left the meeting at 12.22pm.
Mr Gregory Campbell left the meeting at 12.27pm.
Mr Alan McFarland left the meeting at 12.28pm.
10. Correspondence.
Members noted the following items of correspondence.
- Invest NI Equality Screening consultation and list of Invest NI policy and programme screenings.
- Executive Summary and Chapter 5 of the Analysis of Sickness Absence in NI Departments 2008/2009 Report from the Finance and Personnel Committee.
- Letter from DETI on the screening of Equality Impact Assessment April-Sept 2009 and table of procedures/legislation considered.
- Letter to Chair from Mineral Products Association relating to their first edition of their new magazine.
- Letter to Chair from ‘As it Is’ Consulting, inviting the Chair to a lunch with the Syrian Ambassador.
Mr Alan McFarland rejoined the meeting at 12.31pm.
11 . Any Other Business.
The following members declared an interest in Credit Unions: Mr Gerry McHugh; Mr Alban Maginness; Mr Leslie Cree; Mr Paul Butler; and Mr Stephen Moutray; and Mr Gregory Campbell.
12 . Date, time and place of next meeting .
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 October at 10.30am in
Room 30, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.34pm .