COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Mr William Irwin
Ms Jennifer McCann
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Mr Gerry McHugh
Ms Claire McGill
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Miss Karen Jardine (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Ms Dagmar Walgraeve (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Leslie Cree
The meeting began at 10.07am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
Members noted that the meeting would be adjourned for 30 minutes after the Invest NI oral briefing to allow members to attend the Service of Remembrance Day memorial service.
Members noted that the evidence session with officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, scheduled for today’s meeting, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Committee agreed to take agenda item 4 next.
2. Renewable Energy Inquiry – Oral evidence from Invest NI
Officials joined the meeting at 10.10am.
Members received an oral briefing from Olive Hill and Nigel McClelland, Invest NI. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard. Key issues discussed included the active approach of Invest NI in the development of a renewable sector; key areas of development opportunity; challenges to growth in the sector; potential for employment and the prospects for foreign direct investment.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.26am.
Mr Givan left the meeting at 10.32am.
Mr Givan returned to the meeting at 10.36am.
Agreed: Officials agreed to provide written responses to further questions.
Officials left the meeting at 10.38am.
Ms McGill left the meeting at 10.38am.
3. Minutes of meeting held on the 4 November 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 4 November were agreed.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10.39am.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 11.25am.
Ms McCann joined the meeting at 11.25am.
Ms McGill returned to the meeting at 11.25am.
4. Matters arising from meeting on 4 November 2010
Members discussed an email from the Small Wind Energy Group (SWEG) regarding its response to the NIRO 2011.
Agreed: to copy the correspondence to Departmental officials for comment.
Dr McDonnell returned to the meeting at 11.28am.
Members discussed the Utility Regulator’s consultation on Firmus Energy’s licence exclusivity in the ten towns area.
Mr Givan left the meeting at 11.35am.
Mr Givan returned to the meeting at 11.37am.
Agreed: to return to this correspondence at next week’s meeting.
Members noted a briefing paper from the Department with an update on the Next Generation Broadband Project.
Members noted a response from the Department regarding Invest NI’s new export development initiative.
Members discussed the information pack index for take-note debate on Strategic Energy Framework (SEF).
Agreed: Content with the information pack and to distribute to all MLAs in advance of the take-note debate.
Members noted that discussions are continuing regarding the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS) and that officials will brief the Committee following consideration by the Executive.
5. Renewable Energy Inquiry – Oral evidence from Department of Environment
Officials joined the meeting at 11.44am.
Members received an oral briefing from Tom Clarke, Stephen Hamilton, and Brendan Forde, DoE. The evidence session was recorded by Hansard. Key issues discussed included planning policy guidance; timing of planning decisions and rates of approval; climate change; and the connection of renewable energy sources to the National Grid.
Mr Irwin left the meeting at 11.53am.
Mr Frew left the meeting at 12.56pm.
Agreed: Officials agreed to provide written responses to any further questions.
Officials left the meeting at 12.57pm.
The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 12.58pm.
The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 12.59pm.
Mr Irwin returned to the meeting at 12.59pm.
6. Energy Bill: Draft report
The Committee formally scrutinised each paragraph of the draft report.
Agreed: That the executive summary at paragraphs 1-16 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the introduction at paragraphs 17-21 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the summary of the draft Bill as presented to the Committee at Committee Stage at paragraphs 22-60 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the summary of consideration of the Bill at paragraphs 61-139 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the summary of consideration of other issues of the Bill at paragraphs 140-146 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill at paragraphs 147-156 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the entire report with minutes of proceedings, minutes of evidence and written evidence will be considered at next week’s meeting.
7. HSENI – Proposal for The Factories Act (NI) 1965 and Office and Shop Premises Act (NI) 1966 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations (NI) 2011: Written briefing
The Committee noted the written briefing.
8. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
i. Letter from Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee to the CEO of Invest NI, Alastair Hamilton regarding the music strategy.
Agreed: To forward the letter to Alastair Hamilton
ii. Briefing paper from NITB regarding the events strategy and funding model.
Agreed: To invite NITB to give an oral briefing regarding the strategy at the end of the year or early 2011.
iii. Letter from the Minister regarding a UK-wide consultation exercise on a review of corporate governance.
iv. From the OFMDFM Committee:
- Investment Strategy for NI – report for October 2010
- Memo regarding Lifetime Opportunities Monitoring Framework Baseline Report.
v. Invitation from Advice NI to Committee members to its Annual General Meeting.
Agreed: members will notify Committee staff if they wish to attend.
VI. Press release from Bank of Ireland regarding its plans to consolidate business support activities.
Mr Frew returned to the meeting at 1.02pm.
9. Any other business
Agreed: Members agreed to follow up the matter of Northern Ireland Tourist Board representation at a City of Culture event next week.
Members noted on that in October Ballymena Borough Council has now been offered a position on the St. Patrick’s Trail Project
There were no other items of business.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 18 November at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
18 November 2010
04 November 10 / Menu
