COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2010
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Mr William Irwin
Ms Jennifer McCann
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Leslie Cree
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
The meeting began at 10.39am in closed session.
1. Renewable Energy Inquiry - Consideration of Recommendations
Members discussed the draft report of the Renewable Energy Inquiry with the key issues and findings from the written and oral evidence received thus far.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 10.44am.
Jennifer McCann joined the meeting at 11.00am.
Paul Givan joined the meeting at 11.05am.
William Irwin left the meeting at 11.18am.
Paul Frew left the meeting at 11.25am.
Agreed: To write to those organisations that gave evidence to the Committee to obtain the required additional information for the report.
2. Prospects for Economic Growth - Oral briefing from the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
DETI officials joined the meeting at 11.28am.
Members received an oral briefing from Graeme Hutchinson, Assistant Secretary, DETI Strategic Planning & Economics Division and David Thomson, Deputy Secretary of DETI Policy Group.
Paul Frew rejoined the meeting at 11.30am.
Paul Givan left the meeting at 11.45am.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.08pm.
DETI officials left the meeting at 12.20pm.
3. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
4. Minutes of meeting held on the 2 December 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 2 December were agreed.
Members agreed to consider agenda item 9 next.
5. Any other business
Members discussed a letter from Quinn Insurance regarding its refinancing process.
Agreed: To ask the Department and the Minister to make representations to the Bond Holder Advisors.
Agreed: To ask the Department to meet with Quinn employees’ forum at the earliest opportunity.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 12.28pm.
6. Renewable Energy Inquiry - Oral evidence from the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
DETI Officials joined the meeting at 12.28pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Olivia Martin, Alison Clydesdale and Fiona Hepper, DETI Energy Division and David Thomson, Deputy Secretary of DETI Policy Group. Key issues discussed included the grid infrastructure, a renewable heat incentive in NI and planning.
Paul Givan rejoined the meeting at 12.34pm.
DETI officials left the meeting at 1.05pm.
Members agreed to return to agenda item 5 next.
7. Matters arising from meeting on 2 December 2010
Members noted a response from the Department regarding the Energy Efficiency Levy.
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding an amendment to Clause 10 in the Energy Bill that she is going to table during consideration stage of the Bill.
Members noted that DETI Tourism Policy Branch officials are available next week to provide an oral briefing.
Agreed: To receive an oral briefing at next week’s meeting.
8. NITB Visitor Information Strategy – Written briefing
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: To ask NITB what the steering group is intended to achieve.
Agreed: To ask NITB how information will be provided to travel agents and tour operators as the Visitor Information Plan does not outline how this will be addressed.
9. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
I. Memo from the Committee for Social Development re Pitch Fee Increases on seasonal caravan sites.
Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Department and for the Department to respond directly to the Social Development Committee and copy to this Committee.
II. Letters to the British Holiday and Home Parks Association and National Caravan Council from the Social Development Committee regarding their views and guidance on an increase in pitch fees.
III. Letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Proposed Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations.
IV. Memo from the Committee for OFMDFM regarding a Hansard from witnesses addressing Procurement Processes.
V. Invitation from the Assembly and Business Trust to a business breakfast on the banking sector on Tuesday, 14 December in the members’ dining room.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 16 December at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.12pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
December 2010
02 December 10 / Menu
