COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Sean Neeson
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 Gregory Campbell MP
Mr David Simpson MP
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.23am in public session.
1. Apologies
The Chair advised members of the new agenda.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 11 March 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 11 March were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members noted a response from the Department regarding the performance of DETI and the Northern Ireland Civil Service in general against the 10-day prompt payment target.
Agreed: To copy this paper to other statutory Committees and highlight the performance of NI Civil Service.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 10.27am.
Members noted a response from the Department regarding a renewable heat incentive in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To copy the response to Nutherm Renewable Energy.
Members noted a response from NITB regarding NI’s domestic holiday statistics compared to GB and RoI.
Members noted a response from the Department regarding extension on the exemption of a climate change levy in Northern Ireland.
Members noted a response from the Social Development Minister and Health Minister regarding missing Compensation Recovery Unit Data for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To commission research to look at the figures and the area of third party capture.
Members noted a press article regarding proposals for an EU microfinance facility to provide credit to small businesses.
Agreed: To refer to this article during the next discussion of the Committee’s visit to Europe.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee regarding automated communications systems.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee.
Members noted the Department’s response regarding UCIT’s business case to Invest NI.
Agreed: To receive updates as they occur.
Members discussed the case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To hold a take note debate in Plenery on the issue after recess.
Members commended Assembly Research for the work they have provided for the Committee.
Alan McFarland joined the meeting at 10.35am.
Members discussed a draft public notice for the Debt Relief Bill and a list of key stakeholders for the Bill.
Agreed: Content with the public notice
Agreed: To write to a selection of the key stakeholders for the Bill.
Agreed: To receive an informal short presentation from the Bill Clerk before the start of next week’s meeting.
The Chair informed the members that the Clerk met with the NI Electrical and Standards Lobbying Group (NIESLG), as the Chair/Deputy Chair had other commitments.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 10.38am.
Agreed: To receive a written briefing from (NIESLG).
Members discussed a letter from DETI Energy Division to a member of the Small Wind Energy Group (SWEG) regarding the NIRO.
4. NI Renewables Obligation (NIRO) – Oral briefing
Officials joined the meeting at 10.41am.
Members received an oral briefing from Olivia Martin, Principal, DETI Energy Division and Michael Harris, Deputy Principal, DETI Energy Division. Key issue discussed was the proposed statutory regulation on the NIRO.
Gerry McHugh rejoined the meeting at 10.45am.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.59am
Officials left the meeting at 11.31am
Agreed: To await the debate in Plenary next week on the Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
5. Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG) Oral Briefing
Members agreed that agenda item 6 would be considered next.
Officials joined the meeting at 11.38am.
Members received an oral briefing from Michael Kidd, Head of Business Banking and Alan Bridle, Senior Economist, Bank of Ireland. Key issue discussed was the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Scheme.
Officials left the meeting at 12.01pm
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 12.02pm.
6. Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG) Oral Briefing
Members agreed that agenda item 7 would be considered next.
Officials joined the meeting at 12.03pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Kevin Kingston, General Manager of Corporate Business and Markets and Christopher Stringer, Senior Business Development Manager, Northern Bank. Key issue discussed was the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Scheme.
Officials left the meeting at 12.22pm.
7. SR 60/2010 The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members agreed that agenda item 5 would be considered next.
Members discussed the SR above and the tabled Examiner of Statutory Rule’s Report.
Question put and agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
8. Energy Bill – Written Briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To consult with the relevant bodies on the issues raised during the Committee stage of the Bill.
Agreed: To write to the Utility Regulator to seek his views on the consultation.
9. Credit Union Legislation. Written briefing from the FSA
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To defer this item until next week’s meeting.
10. Draft Tourism Strategy – Consultation Document - Written Briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To await the outcome of the consultation.
Agreed: To receive information from the Department regarding the Science Park charging visitors a fee for visiting the Titanic Quarter.
11. HSENI Draft Operating Plan. Written briefing
Agreed: To defer this item until next week’s meeting.
12. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
Letter from the Minister regarding a BIS consultation on proposed regulations for timeshare, holiday products, resale and exchange contracts.
Correspondence from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee regarding the Bike to Work Scheme.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Minister.
Correspondence from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding support for Carers.
Agreed: To copy the letter to the Department for their views and for the Department to respond directly to the Finance and Personnel Committee and copy to this Committee.
13. Any Other Business
There were no other items of business.
14. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 25 March at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.31pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
March 2010