COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 2011
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
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh

In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)

The meeting began at 10.45am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on the 13 January 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 13 January were agreed.

3. Matters arising from meeting on 13 January 2011

Members noted a letter from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Minister for Finance and Personnel’s meeting with banking representatives.

Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel and the Association of British Insurers on the Draft Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill.

Members noted a response from the Department on where tourism sits within the overall economic strategy.

Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Review of Statutory Bars.

Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding an Assembly Research paper on the draft budget.

Members noted a draft response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel with the Committee’s views on the draft budget and a letter to the Minister regarding the budget.

Agreed: Content with the draft response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.

Agreed: Content with the letter to the Minister.

4. Quinn Insurance: Oral briefing from the Quinn Employees Forum (QEF)

QEF officials joined the meeting at 10.50am.

Members received an oral briefing from Fiacre O’Donnell and Martin Creevy, Quinn Employee Forum. Key issues discussed included proposals for the sale of Quinn Insurance, how the situation at Quinn Insurance is affecting the Quinn Group and the refinancing of the Quinn Group.

Dr Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.23am.

Leslie Cree left the meeting at 12.05pm.

Agreed: For the Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with the Minister regarding the situation at Quinn Group/Quinn Insurance.

Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 12.13pm.

QEF Officials left the meeting at 12.13pm.

5. SL1s on Debt Relief Act

Jennifer McCann left the meeting at 12.15pm.

Members discussed the Proposed Debt Relief (2010 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011

Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.

Members discussed the Proposed Debt Relief (2010 Act) (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.

Members discussed the Proposed Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.

Members discussed the Proposed Debt Relief Orders (Designation of Competent Authorities) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.

Members discussed the Proposed Insolvency (Fees) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Agreed: Content with the SL1 and no comment.

6. NI Executive Economic Strategy - Consultation document on priorities for sustainable growth: Written briefing from DETI

Members discussed the written briefing.

Agreed: To collate responses on the consultation from other relevant Committees.

Agreed: To receive a summary of the written responses to the consultation at the earliest possible date.

Agreed: To ask the Department if it knows when the outcome of the UK Government exercise into rebalancing the NI economy will be known, and how the Department is liaising with the UK Government on this exercise.

Agreed: To receive timescales for publishing the consultation on the draft economic strategy.

7. Consultation on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO): Written briefing from DETI

Members discussed the Department’s response and a summary of the consultation responses.

Agreed: To invite DETI officials and AFBI to provide an oral briefing on the proposals for NIRO 2011.

8. Evaluation of the Telecoms Policy Unit Strategy and Action Plan: Written briefing from DETI

Members discussed the written briefing.

Agreed: To ask the Department how it is working to achieve the objectives for Project Kelvin.

9. Correspondence

Members noted the following items of correspondence:

I. Letter to the Chair from KBS computer supplies on the NICS Office Consumables Contract.

Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department for Finance and Personnel.

II. Letter from the Minister regarding the proposed transfer of DETI data collection functions to NISRA (DFP) by Transfer of Functions Order and a timetable for the proposed Transfer of Functions Order.

III. Invitation to the Chair from NI Good Food to the Northern Ireland Breakfast Event 2011.

IV. Correspondence from Ofcom regarding Mobile Roaming Charges.

V. Response from the Department to the Social Development Committee, copied to this Committee, regarding queries on the Caravans Bill.

VI. Invitation from Employment and Learning Committee to the Committee, the DETI Permanent Secretary and the CEO of Invest NI to a STEM event in the Long Gallery on Wednesday, 16 February.

Agreed: To forward the invitations from the Employment and Learning Committee to the Permanent Secretary and the CEO of Invest NI.

Members agreed to consider agenda item 11 next.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 27 January at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.

The meeting went into closed session at 12.26pm to allow consideration of the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive – Outcome of Petroleum License Applications and the renewable energy inquiry.

10. Any other business

Members discussed the draft budget.

Agreed: To invite the Chair of Invest NI and the CEO of Invest NI to the Committee for an oral briefing in closed session.

12. Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive – Outcome of Petroleum License Applications

Members noted the letter from the Minister.

13. Renewable Energy Inquiry: Draft Report

Members discussed the Renewable Energy Inquiry.

Agreed: To agree the final version of the report at next week’s meeting.

Agreed: Content with the motion on the debate of the report in the Assembly.

Agreed: Content with the proposed speakers for the Inquiry report launch event on 17 February.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.57pm.

Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
January 2011

13 January 11/ Menu