COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Mr William Irwin
Ms Jennifer McCann
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Tara McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
The meeting began at 10.35am in public session.
1. Consideration of Energy Bill: Internal memo from Examiner of Statutory Rules
Members discussed the memo.
Agreed: Content with the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ advice.
2. Consideration of Tourism Bill: Internal memo from Examiner of Statutory Rules
Members discussed the memo.
Agreed: To receive further information from the Department regarding subordinate legislation-making powers under Clause 1 of the Bill.
3. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
4. Minutes of meeting held on the 16 September 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 16 September were agreed.
5. Matters arising from meeting on 16 September 2010
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding required legislation for the credit union movement in NI.
Members discussed correspondence and information from the Social Development Committee regarding the Caravans Bill.
Agreed: To invite John McCallister MLA to provide oral evidence to the Committee regarding the Bill.
Agreed: To invite DETI Trading Standard Services to provide oral evidence to the Committee regarding the Bill.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister regarding a renewable heat incentive (RHI).
Agreed: That the Department address renewable heat during its oral evidence to the Committee on the Renewable Energy Inquiry.
Members noted a response from the Department on how DETI measures cause and effect in relation to the impact of NITB activity on tourism numbers and revenue.
Agreed: To invite officials from the DETI Tourism Policy Branch to provide an oral briefing to the Committee regarding policy-making and implementation at a future meeting.
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.55am
Members discussed the Renewable Energy Inquiry.
Agreed: To decide which organisations to invite to the Committee for oral evidence at next week’s meeting.
6. SL1: The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Members discussed the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2010
Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.
7. Energy Bill: Oral briefing
Consumer Council officials joined the meeting at 11.03am.
Members agreed that agenda item 9 would be considered next.
8. NIAUR Consultation on the Options for Coordinating the Relinquishing of Firmus Energy’s Supply Exclusivity in the 10 Towns Area: Written briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 11.07am.
Agreed: To request a summary of the responses to the consultation when they are available.
Agreed: Seek the views of NIAUR and the Consumer Council on the outcomes of the consultation.
Gerry McHugh rejoined the meeting at 11.17am.
Paul Givan left the meeting at 11.18am.
Members returned to agenda item 7.
9. Energy Bill: Oral briefing
Members received an oral briefing from John French and Richard Williams of the Consumer Council. Key issue discussed included the Energy Bill: powers of entry and guaranteed standards of performance.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.03pm.
Consumer Council officials left the meeting at 12.04pm.
Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.07pm.
10. Energy Bill: Oral briefing
Brian McHugh joined the meeting at 12.06pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Brian McHugh of the NI Authority for Utility Regulation. Key issue included the Energy Bill: powers of entry, guaranteed standards of performance and special administration regime for gas and electricity.
Brian McHugh left the meeting at 12.20pm.
Agreed: To write to the Department to obtain clarification and views in relation to Clause 10 and 14 of the Bill.
11. Gas Licence Application Regulations – Provision of summary of Consultation Responses: Written briefing
Members noted the written briefing.
William Irwin left the meeting at 12.28pm.
12. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
I. Memo from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding Executive’s Budget Process Action Plan and DFP’s response to CFP’s Second Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Report.
II. Memo from OFMDFM Committee regarding the European Commission’s Communication on the Rights of the Child.
III. Letter from the Minister on the review of statutory bars.
Agreed: To receive a summary of the responses when they become available.
IV. Letter from Invest NI CEO regarding Invest NI’s Annual Report and Accounts for year ending 31 March 2010.
V. Letter from InterTradeIreland requesting a meeting.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with InterTradeIreland.
VI. Invitations to the Chair from:
- Federation of Small Businesses to its Silver Jubilee Dinner.
- Equality Commission for NI to launch of ‘Employability Toolkit’.
- Construction Employers Federation to its awards dinner.
- Breakfast launch of the Connected2 Project.
VII. Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- CAM Benchmarking
- Fuel Security Code
- DETI Research Agenda
- Letter from Sustainable Development Commission
- Response from Ulster Farmers Union re Renewable Energy Inquiry
Agreed: To receive information from the Department regarding the results of Invest NI’s award cost in relation to CAM Benchmarking, which were expected in early September 2010.
12. Any other business
There were no other items of business.
13. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 30 September at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.32pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
September 2010
16 September 10 / Menu
