COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2009
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr David Simpson MP
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Leslie Cree
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.05am in closed session.
1. Broadband Next Generation: Oral Briefing
The Minister and Departmental Officials joined the meeting at 10.05am.
Members received an oral briefing from the DETI Minister, Fiona Hepper, Head of Strategic Policy Division, Alberta Pauley, Principal Officer DETI Telecoms Policy Unit and Trevor Forsythe, DETI Telecoms Policy Unit.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 10.08am
Alan McFarland joined the meeting at 10.25am
The Minister and Departmental Officials left the meeting at 10.44am.
Dr Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.45am.
The meeting opened in public session at 10.48am.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Minutes of meeting held on the 26 November
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 26 November were agreed.
4. Matters arising
Members discussed information from the Department relating to statutory powers for renewable heat.
Agreed: To return to this information when the Committee considers the Strategic Energy Framework (SEF).
Members noted information from the Department regarding who would assume the cost of Smart Meters.
Members noted letters to: Mark Durkan MP, MLA regarding the School and Employer Connections; Chris Clark regarding the two new BT Digital Care sites in NI and; David Sterling regarding a meeting with the Chair and Deputy Chair.
The Chair advised Members of his meeting with the Deputy Chair and NIAUR Director of Electricity, Shane Lynch, earlier in the week.
Agreed: To await the publication of the NIAUR Inquiry into electricity prices for businesses before inviting the Utility Regulator to give evidence to the Committee.
The Chair advised Members that a meeting with the five local authority led groups has been arranged for the 8 December, to discuss the INTEREGG IVA Programme.
Agreed: For Members to contact the Committee Office if they wish to attend.
5. December Monitoring Round: Oral Briefing
Officials joined the meeting at 10.58am.
The Committee received an oral presentation from Colin Lewis, Deputy Secretary, Head of DETI Management Services Group and Bernie Brankin, Head of DETI Finance Branch. Key issues included the December Monitoring round and reduced requirements.
Officials left the meeting at 11.11am.
6. New Invest NI Enterprise Development Programmes: Oral Briefing
Officials joined the meeting at 11.12am.
The Committee received an oral presentation from Sharon Polson, Head of Invest NI Entrepreneurship Development Team and Ian Murphy, Head of Invest NI Regional Economic Development Division. Key issues included the details of the Programme, aims and specific targets.
Sean Neeson declared an interest as a member of the Carrickfergus Board of Enterprise.
Officials left the meeting at 11.42am.
7. Correspondence.
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Letter from the Minister to Chair regarding the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill.
- Email from a member of the public to the Mourne Heritage Trust, copied to the Committee, regarding Mourne Heritage Trust’s proposals for “ Bloody Bridge” in the Mournes.
8. Any Other Business
Agreed: To go into closed session at the end of next week’s meeting to review the Committee’s work this year to date, and to discuss and agree priorities for the new year.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting of the Committee will be on Thursday 10 December at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.45am .
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment