COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 MARCH 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Leslie Cree
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 Stephen Moutray
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr David Simpson MP
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.36am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 18 March 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 18 March were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members discussed the draft motion for the take note debate on the case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland and a letter from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the issue.
Agreed: Content with the draft motion.
Agreed: To proceed with the scheduling of a take note debate after recesson the case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland.
Members discussed the biographies of three potential speakers for the Committee’s event for SMEs in the renewable energy sector.
Agreed: Content for the Committee Office to contact the speakers for the event.
Members discussed a draft itinerary for the Committee’s European visit in May.
Agreed: Content with the itinerary.
Members discussed an invitation from the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) to hold a Committee meeting at their premises.
Agreed: Content with the provisional date of 15 April, subject to confirmation by SEMO and adequate facilities.
Members discussed letter from the Clerk for the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding INTERREG IV.
Paul Butler joined the meeting at 10.52am.
Agreed: Clerk to draft a motion regarding INTERREG funding for a debate in Plenery.
Agreed: To invite the SEUPB to provide an oral briefing to the Committee.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee and the Minister of Finance and Personnel.
Members noted that the Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill has been introduced and that the second stage of the Bill is expected shortly after recess.
Agreed: Content with the principles of the Bill.
4. Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) Scheme – Oral briefing
Officials joined the meeting at 11.06am.
Members received an oral briefing from Joseph McGowan, Head of Retail Banking and John Kilty, General Manager, First Trust. Key issue discussed was the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 11.26am.
Officials left the meeting at 11.28am
5. Credit Union Legislation - Written Briefing from the FSA
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To receive an update from the Department regarding the timeline for the legislation.
6. HSENI Draft Operating Plan –Written Briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To write to the Department regarding issues with targets and performance indicators in the operating plan.
7. Next Generation Broadband Project. Update. Written Briefing.
Members noted the written briefing.
8. IREP Implementation Plan – Written Briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To copy the implementation plan to other relevant committees for comment
Agreed: To receive from the Department: A detailed action plan from each Implementation Group; a written briefing from the Steering Group on a quarterly basis outlining progress against plans; and an oral briefing from each Implementation Group after summer recess and, thereafter, at intervals as required and to be determined by the Committee.
9. Review of the Regulation of Credit and Store Cards. Written Briefing.
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: That the Committee be kept informed if/when DETI becomes aware of issues with the voluntary arrangements between credit card companies and Government.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Correspondence from the Environment Committee regarding the North-South Electricity Interconnector.
Agreed: To forward the information and letter to the Department.
- Letter from the Department to consultees regarding the Draft Tourism Strategy.
- Email from Enterprise NI requesting that the Committee holds one of its meetings at a local enterprise agency.
Agreed: To contact Enterprise NI and advise that a meeting may be held in Autumn 2010.
11. Any Other Business
There were no other items of business.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Monday 29 March at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.51am.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
March 2010