COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr David Simpson MP
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Sean Neeson
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Gerry McHugh
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
The meeting began at 10.40am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 25 February 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 25 February were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members discussed an annual return from the Presbyterian Mutual Society to DETI in June 2008.
Jennifer McCann joined the meeting at 10.45am.
Sean Neeson joined the meeting at 10.46am
Agreed: Clerk to investigate appointing a specialist advisor to examine the documents.
Members noted a letter from a member of the public regarding the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Members discussed a letter from the Department regarding incentives for small-scale renewable energy generation and grid connections fees.
Gregory Campbell joined the meeting at 10.54am.
Agreed: To forward the information to Kedco.
Agreed: To receive information from the Department on changes in relation to the ROCs for anaerobic digestion.
Agreed: To receive additional information on incentives for renewable energy.
Members discussed the Department’s response regarding regulation of claims management companies in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To receive clarity on whether there is a gap in regulation of claims management companies in Northern Ireland.
Members noted the Department’s and Consumer Council’s response in relation to their actions in the OFMDFM Committee’s recommendations for Child Poverty.
Agreed: To forward information to the OFMDFM Committee.
Members noted the Department’s response to DRD’s Road (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
Agreed: To forward the response to the Regional Development Committee.
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Committee for Regional Development on community transport.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Regional Development Committee.
Members noted correspondence from the Culture, Arts and Leisure (CAL) Committee to the Permanent Secretary in relation to the promotion of townland names.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Permanent Secretary.
Members noted a letter from the Employment and Learning Committee regarding NI Tourist Board’s draft Tourism Strategy.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department.
Members noted letters from the Chair to the Department of Business Innovation & Skills and the Minister in relation to the proposed Next Generation Fund.
Members noted a letter from the Northern Bank regarding the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.
The Chair updated the Committee on the meeting with a group representing employees at Hughes Christensen.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with Minister regarding the issue and report back to the Committee and the employee representatives.
4. Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill: Oral Briefing
The Officials joined the meeting at 11.12am.
The Committee received an oral briefing from John Hinds, Head of Consumer Affairs and Philip McClenaghan, Team Leader Legislation Unit. Key issues discussed included the proposed timing for the legislation, current status of the Bill and key aspects of the Bill.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.19am.
The Officials left the meeting at 11.27am.
Agreed: To receive a list of full consultees to the Bill.
5. Case for a Reduced Rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland: Oral Briefing
The Officials joined the meeting at 11.29am.
The Committee received an oral briefing from Mike Smith, University of Ulster, Victor Hewitt, ERINI, Eamonn Donaghy, KPMG and Sir George Quigley, Chairman of Bombardier-Shorts. Key issues discussed included the current state of the Northern Ireland economy, foreign direct investment and the potential impact on the economy of a reduced rate of corporate tax in Northern Ireland.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 11.38pm.
David Simpson declared an interest as a member of the agri-food business sector.
Sean Neeson rejoined the meeting at 11.55am.
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 12pm.
David Simpson left the meeting at 12.14pm.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 12.34pm.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.37am.
The Officials left the meeting at 1.00pm.
Agreed: Members to continue the debate on this matter at a future meeting.
6. Assembly Research paper on Renewable Energy in Europe: Written briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To defer this item until next week’s meeting.
7. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- Letter from the Minister to Chair of Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Ian Paisley Jnr.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the ARD Committee Chairperson. - Letter from the Speaker to all Committee Chairpersons regarding the documentary series on the work of the Assembly.
- Letter from NI Electrical Standards Lobbying Group regarding regulations in the electricity sector, requesting a meeting with the Chair.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with the Group. - Letter from NI Environment Link in relation to their document entitled, ‘Policy Priorities for NI’S Environment – The Way Ahead 2010 Review’.
- Letter from the Utility Regulator regarding the postponement of a seminar in March.
- Letter from the Employment and Learning Committee to the Minister regarding the Inquiry into Young People aged 16 to 24, Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Minister.
8. Any Other Business
The Committee discussed future Committee meetings in March/April.
Agreed: To hold an additional meeting on 29 March and to meet on two occasions in April in order to facilitate the pending Westminster Elections.
9 . Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 11 March at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.03pm.