COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 13 MAY 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Stephen Moutray
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr David Simpson MP
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Leslie Cree
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 Daithí McKay
The meeting began at 10.04am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 22 April 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 22 April were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Members discussed a letter from the Minister relating to hydrocarbons licensing.
Agreed: To write to the Minister outlining the Committee’s concerns.
Members discussed a briefing paper from Assembly Research regarding fuel suppliers in Northern Ireland along with a list of major fuel suppliers in Northern Ireland.
David Simpson joined the meeting at 10.07am.
Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 10.07am.
Stephen Moutray declared an interest.
Agreed: To commission Assembly Research on price differentials between NI, GB and RoI.
Agreed: To write to other relevant committees to ask if they are content that the ETI Committee takes the lead on the issue, in accordance with Standing Orders 64(A).
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.13am.
Members discussed a letter from the NI Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) regarding clarification on its views on the Energy Bill.
Agreed: To consider the letter when the Energy Bill is at Committee stage.
Members discussed a letter from NIAUR regarding a switching mechanism for gas consumers.
Agreed: To forward the letter to Firmus for comment.
Members discussed a press release from NIAUR regarding its intention to cancel power generation contracts between Kilroot and NIE.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding UCIT’s proposal to Invest NI for additional funding.
Gregory Campbell joined the meeting at 10.26am.
Agreed: To copy the letter to UCIT
Agreed: To write to the Minister to express the Committee’s disappointment.
Members discussed correspondence from the Social Development Committee regarding DSD’s performance against the 10-day payment of invoices target.
Agreed: To write to the Finance and Personnel Committee to request that they raise the issue of sub-contractors in DSD contracts not being paid by contractors with Central Procurement Directorate (CPD).
Members noted a briefing note from the Department regarding further scrutiny of the Independent Technical Advisors to assist the delivery of the Titanic Signature Project.
Members noted an Assembly Research Paper regarding a comparison of electrical standards in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Agreed: To forward the research paper to Finance and Personnel Committee.
Members discussed a letter from the Department regarding its independent research report on debt advice provision in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To await the outcomes of the report.
The Chair reminded members of the Committee’s renewable energy event, taking place in the Long Gallery on 18 May.
Agreed: To copy the invitation list for the event to the Department.
The Chair advised members that a meeting has been scheduled between the Chairs/Deputy Chairs of the ETI and Finance and Personnel Committee and the Finance Minister.
The Chair advised members that Pat Colgan of the SEUPB has indicated that he is available on 17 June to provide an oral briefing to the Committee regarding INTERREG funding.
Members discussed an email from Biogas Alliance regarding the renewable energy industry.
Agreed: To receive a written briefing from Biogas Alliance.
The Chair advised members that the final itinerary for the Committee’s visit to Europe will be available at next week’s meeting.
Agreed: To take the train from the Leuven Institute to Brussels.
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 10.45am.
Members noted briefing notes from conversations between the Chair/Deputy Chair and the Administrator for Quinn Insurance, the Irish Regulator and the FSA.
Members raised NIAUR’s press release regarding its intention to cancel power generation contracts between Kilroot and NIE.
Agreed: To write to the Utility Regulator to enquire about the impact of cancellation of the contracts.
4. Invest NI Year End Performance – Oral briefing
Alastair Hamilton joined the meeting at 10.58am.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.58am.
Members received an oral briefing from Alastair Hamilton, CEO, Invest NI. Key issues discussed included new jobs created, Invest NI’s budget and delivery of PSA targets.
Stephen Moutray rejoined the meeting at 11.04am.
Agreed: To receive information on how much of the £88m of assistance that went towards innovation went to local firms.
Agreed: To receive written briefings on future quarterly reviews for Invest NI.
David Simpson left the meeting at 11.50am.
Agreed: To receive a breakdown of the areas in which the new jobs created are located.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 11.57am.
David Simpson rejoined the meeting at 11.59am.
Agreed: To receive information on how many of the new businesses created are still in existence in 12-15 months and how many jobs have they created.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 12.11pm.
Official left the meeting at 12.13pm.
5. Debt Relief Bill – Oral Evidence
Officials joined the meeting at 12.14pm.
Members received a oral evidence from Bob Stronge, CEO, Advice NI and Sinead Campbell, Money Advice Co-ordinator. Key issue discussed included the Debt Relief Bill.
Stephen Moutray left the meeting at 12.26pm.
Gregory Campbell left the meeting at 12.28pm.
Agreed: To consider the written evidence on this item next week.
Officials left the meeting at 12.35pm.
6. SL1: The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.
7. SL1: Proposed Companies (Disqualification Orders) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the Proposed Companies (Disqualification Orders) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010.
Agreed: Content with SL1 and no comment.
8. SR 163/2010: The Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the SR above and the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ Report.
Question put and agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Biocidal Products (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
9. SR 160/2010: The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010
Members discussed the SR above and the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ Report.
Question put and agreed: That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2010 and has no objection to the Rule.
10. Unsolicited Services (Trade and Business Directories) Bill – Assembly Research Paper – Written Briefing
Members noted the written briefing.
Agreed: To consider the research paper provided when the Committee further considers the Bill.
11. Caravans Bill – Written Briefing
Members considered the written briefing.
Agreed : The Clerk to write to the Social Development Committee Clerk recommending that the ETI Committee scrutinises clauses 7&8 as part of the Committee stage of the Caravan’s Bill.
Agreed: To also suggest that all responses to the consultation are sent to the SD Committee Clerk and those pertaining to part 2 of the Bill are copied to the ETI Committee Clerk.
12. European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Development – Assembly Research Paper – Written Briefing
Members considered the written briefing.
Agreed: To write to the UK Permanent Representation in Brussels to request details of emerging trends for FP8.
Agreed: To arrange a meeting with representatives from the office of the Commissioner for Research and Innovation while in Brussels.
Agreed: To commission research on the role, remit and progress of the FP8 taskforce.
13. NITB Strategy and Action Plan 2010-2013: Written Briefing
Members noted the written briefing.
Agreed: To defer this item until next week.
14. Evaluation of the Northern Ireland Science Park: Written Briefing
Members noted the written briefing.
Agreed: To defer this item until next week.
15. Northern Ireland Screen Commission’s Strategy for 2007-2010
Members noted the written briefing.
Agreed: To defer this item until next week.
16 . Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Correspondence from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding Monitoring Round Returns.
- Correspondence from the OFMDFM Committee regarding the draft Sustainable Development Strategy.
- Letter from the Minister to the Assembly Head of Engagement regarding the invitation list to the ETI Committee’s Balmoral Breakfast.
Agreed: To write to the Minister.
- Letter from the Minister to the Chair to advise that she will not be able to attend the Balmoral Business Breakfast or the Committee’s renewable energy event on the 18 May.
- Letter from the Belfast International Airport regarding thanking the Committee Members’ participation in the Assembly debate relating to the inquiry into extending the runway at Belfast City Airport.
- Letter from Enterprise NI responding to the Committee’s query on criteria for membership to Enterprise NI.
Agreed: To defer until next week’s meeting.
- Correspondence from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee regarding the Northern Ireland Milk Cup.
Agreed: To forward to the Department for a response.
David Simpson left the meeting at 12.46pm.
- Email from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, requesting a meeting with the Chair to discuss the issue of third party capture.
Agreed: Content for the Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with the organisation.
- Members noted a letter from David Sterling to Paul Maskey MLA, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to advise of the Invest NI Officials who will be giving evidence at a PAC hearing on 20 May.
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 Thursday 20 May at 10.30am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.49pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
May 2010