COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 2010
SONI BUILDING, CASTLEREAGH HOUSE, BELFAST
Present: Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Gerry McHugh
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance: Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr David Simpson MP
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Daithí McKay
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
The meeting began at 11.50am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 29 March 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 29 March were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Members discussed a Departmental briefing on the summary of responses to the consultation on the Unsolicited Services Bill, a list of key stakeholders for the Bill and the draft public notice for the Bill.
Agreed: To write to the list of stakeholders for the Bill.
Agreed: Content with the public notice and the closing date for submissions.
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Department’s response to BIS’s consultation on the proposed Next Generation Fund.
Members discussed a letter from BIS in response to the Committee’s concerns on the proposed Next Generation Fund.
Agreed: To receive, from the Department, details of specific areas in NI that will not have access to next generation broadband following the completion of the Next Generation Broadband Project.
Members noted a letter from Ms Joan Ruddock, DECC Minister, regarding powers to implement a small-scale feed-in tariff in Northern Ireland.
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee regarding a Bike to Work Scheme.
Agree: To forward the letter to Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.
Members discussed a response from NITB regarding motor home tourism.
Agreed: To write to the member of the public that raised the query regarding the information given by NITB.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee regarding young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee.
Members noted information on renewable energy in the Netherlands.
Members noted a draft motion to extend the Committee stage of the Debt Relief Bill.
Agreed: Content with the motion and the requested extension date.
Members noted a letter from the Chair to the Chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding co-sponsoring the motions for debate on INTERREG IVA funding and a case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in NI.
Members noted a response from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the Committee’s proposals on the motions.
Agreed: Content with co-sponsoring the events.
Agreed: Content with the motions.
Members noted the HM Treasury’s consultation document on proposals for regulatory reform of credit unions in Northern Ireland.
4. SL1 – The Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the SL1:The Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.
5. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Information from the OFMDFM Committee on European issues.
- Response from Debt Managers Standard Association (DEMSA) regarding the Debt Relief Bill.
- Email from a spokesperson for the Biogas Alliance requesting a meeting with the Committee to discuss biogas in preparation for the European visit.
Agreed: To invited the spokesperson to the Committee’s renewable energy event on 18 May.
- The Department’s evaluation programme for 2010-2013.
- Invitation to the Chair from BDO Northern Ireland to their breakfast launch event on the future of tourism and hospitality on 22 April.
- Invitation to the Chair and Deputy Chair from National Energy Action NI to a breakfast seminar on 26 April.
- Thank you letter to Chair from Belfast International Airport regarding the public inquiry into the planning application to extend the runway at Belfast City Airport.
Agreed: To respond to Belfast International Airport to state that the Committee remains neutral on the issue and had no role in securing the public inquiry into the planning application to extend the runway at Belfast City Airport.
- Thank you letter to Chair from Lurgan College regarding the video conference.
- Letter from Heritage Lottery Fund regarding their ‘Investing in Success’ publication.
- Email request from Chambré Public Affairs, on behalf of their client, ASDA, requesting a meeting with the Chair.
Agreed: To receive a written briefing from ASDA regarding their concerns.
- Letter from the Finance and Personnel Committee to the Consumer Council requesting an oral briefing on rates and cost of insurance.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department.
6. Any Other Business
Members discussed the possibility of inviting employee representatives of Quinn Insurance to brief the Committee at next week’s meeting to give an update on their current situation.
Agreed: To invite employee representatives from Quinn Insurance to brief the Committee at next week’s meeting.
Members discussed major fuel suppliers in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To commission Assembly Research for information on oil companies and suppliers in NI.
7. Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) – Oral Briefing
Members received an oral briefing from Dr Sean McGoldrick, General Manager of SEMO. Key issues discussed included the operation of the single electricity market, the role of the SEMO and pricing of electricity.
Agreed: To receive outcomes of a study on public perception of wind farms in relation to the impact on tourism.
Agreed: To receive the most current figures on system marginal prices vs. average gas prices.
8. System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) – Oral Briefing
Members received an oral briefing from Robin McCormick, SONI General Manager. Key issues discussed included the operation of SONI, the role of SONI and SONI’s current challenges.
Agreed: To receive data on average energy output from NI wind farms.
Agreed: To receive information on the best locations for wind generation in Europe.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 22 April at 10.30am, Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.16pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
April 2010