COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr Daithí McKay
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Leslie Cree
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Paula Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Sean Neeson
The meeting began at 10.33am in closed session.
1. Gas Network Extension Study: Oral briefing
DETI officials joined the meeting at 10:33am.
Members received an oral briefing from Fred Frazer, Irene McAllister and Susan Stewart, DETI Energy Markets. Key issue discussed was the Gas Network Extension Study.
Agreed: To receive monetary figures on how much consumer bills would increase if the private sector were to absorb the costs of an extension to the existing gas network.
Agreed: DETI officials to check with Utility Regulator’s office to ascertain whether there will be a review of Firmus Energy’s licence to supply gas.
DETI officials remained at the table to discuss when the Committee started in open session at 11.34am.
Gregory Campbell left the meeting at 11.34am.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Energy Bill: Oral briefing
Members received an oral briefing from Fred Frazer, Irene McAllister and Susan Stewart, DETI Energy Markets. Key issue discussed was the Department’s response to issues arising from the Committee’s consultation on the Energy Bill.
Agreed: To consider the Energy Bill again at next week’s meeting.
DETI officials remained at the table to discuss the next agenda item.
4. Gas Licence Application Regulations – Consultation and draft SR: Written briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Members noted that the regulations may break the 21-day rule for statutory rules.
DETI officials left the meeting at 11.53am.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 11.53am.
5. Minutes of meeting held on the 1 July 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 1 July were agreed.
6. Matters arising from meeting on 1 July 2010
Members discussed letters and briefings relating to proposed credit union legislation.
Agreed: To write to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mark Hoban MP, to further press for early consideration for amending legislation.
Members noted a paper from the Department regarding Committee queries on the Regional Innovation Strategic Action Plan (RISAP).
Members discussed a briefing paper from the Department that details its role in the approval of INTERREG applications.
Jennifer McCann rejoined the meeting at 11.56am.
Agreed: To forward the paper to the five local authority-led bodies.
Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel (CFP) regarding a joint meeting on 22 nd September to discuss banking issues.
Agreed: Content with the CFP’s proposals.
Agreed: To take evidence from the organisations listed in the correspondence.
Agreed: To consider bringing any significant issues arising from the meeting to the attention of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
Members noted information from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding prompt payment of invoices to subcontractors.
Members noted responses from the Committee for Social Development and the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding this Committee taking the lead in issues relating to major fuel suppliers.
Members noted a letter from the Department regarding a proposed offshore wind farm at Kintyre, Scotland and a letter from the Minister’s office to Southworth Development LLC.
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Culture, Arts and Leisure (CAL) Committee regarding the Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the CAL Committee.
Members noted a paper from NITB regarding funding for the Foyle Cup and Milk Cup.
Agreed: To forward the paper to the CAL Committee.
Members noted a response from the Department regarding queries from the OFMDFM Committee on the NI Better Regulation Strategy.
Daithí McKay left the meeting at 12.07pm.
Agreed: To forward the paper to the OFMDFM Committee.
Members noted a response from the Utility Regulator’s office in relation to when a switching mechanism for gas pay-as-you-go customers will commence.
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding implementation of proposed timeshare, holiday products, resale and exchange contract regulations 2010 in NI.
Members noted a letter from the Department to the Committee for Social Development regarding the Department’s views on the Housing (Amendment) Bill.
7. NI Executive Budget – DETI Bids and Spending Plans: Written briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To invite Departmental officials to provide an oral briefing on the impact of the bids, spending plans and proposed reductions at next week’s meeting.
8. September Monitoring 2010: Written briefing
DETI officials joined the meeting at 12.15pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Bernie Brankin, Head of DETI Finance Branch and Trever Cooper, Head of DETI Finance and EU Programmes Division. Key issue discussed was September Monitoring 2010.
DETI officials left the meeting at 12.35pm.
9. Draft Committee Forward Work Programme Sept-Dec 2010
Members discussed the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: Content to await the evidence session from DETI officials on the Tourism Bill and then decide which organisations to invite to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
10. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- Correspondence from the OFMDFM Committee regarding a query on European funding for research and development.
Agreed: To copy to the Department for its views.
- Correspondence from Chinese Delegation to the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee regarding a visit.
Agreed: To forward the letter from the ARD Committee to the Department for information.
- Letter from Belfast City Council inviting the Chair and Committee members to Giant’s Park Belfast to see its sustainable energy generation facilities.
Agreed : Chair, Deputy Chair and any other members expressing interest, to visit the facilities.
- Invitation from the Sustainable Development Commission to the Chair to speak at its Spirit of Ireland Event on 15 September.
- Informal meeting request with the Chair and members of the Committee from Gaelectric Energy regarding new technology.
Agreed: Members to contact the Committee Office if they wish to attend the meeting scheduled for 13 th September.
- Invitation from the Consumer Council to a “Have Your Say on Public Spending Cuts” event on 16 September.
12. Any other business
Members discussed an informal meeting with Departmental officials to update new members on the Strategic Energy Framework, Energy Bill and Tourism Bill.
Agreed: Content for Committee Office to schedule.
Members noted that the Chair has been invited and will attend the economic conference on 19 October in Washington, D.C.
The Chair reminded members that the NI Economic Conference at the Culloden Hotel is on 29 th September and to contact the Committee Office if they want to attend.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 16 September at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, room to be confirmed.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.43pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
September 2010
1 July 10 / Menu
