COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 27 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Mr William Irwin
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
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)
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.05am in closed session.
Members agreed to consider agenda item 11 first.
11. Renewable Energy Inquiry: Final report
Members considered the final report of the Renewable Energy Inquiry.
Agreed: That the list of abbreviations and table of contents stand part of the report.
Agreed: That the executive summary at paragraphs 1-39 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the summary of recommendations at paragraphs 1-25 stands part of the report.
Paul Givan joined the meeting at 10.09am.
Agreed: That the introduction at paragraphs 1-17 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the key issues and findings at paragraphs 18-230 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the conclusions and recommendations at paragraphs 231-262 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the minutes of proceedings at appendix 1 stands part of the report
Agreed: That the minutes of evidence (Hansards) at appendix 2 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the written submissions at appendix 3 stands part of the report.
Agreed: That the Assembly Research papers at appendix 4 stands part of the report.
Agreed: Chair to approve an extract from today’s minutes which reflect the read-through of the Report.
Agreed: To lay to report in its entirety in the Assembly Business Office after today’s meeting.
Agreed: That appendices 1-4 of the report will be included in the CD ROM in the public version of the report.
Agreed: To order 150 reports with a CD ROM and 30 full reports for printing.
1. Invest NI: Oral Briefing
Agreed: To consider this agenda item in closed session.
Invest NI officials joined the meeting at 10.10am.
Members received an oral briefing from Stephen Kingon, Chairman of Invest NI and Alistair Hamilton, CEO of Invest NI. Key issues discussed was the draft budget.
William Irwin joined the meeting at 10.12am.
Dr Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.14am.
Paul Frew joined the meeting at 10.30am.
Invest NI officials left the meeting at 11.20am.
Dr Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 11.20am.
Agreed: To write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Committee’s concerns that were discussed during the oral briefing.
Paul Frew left the meeting at 11.23am.
The Committee commenced in open session at 11.23am.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Minutes of meeting held on the 20 January 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 20 January were agreed.
Members agreed to consider agenda item 5 next.
5. Consultation on proposed changes to the NI Renewables Obligation (NIRO): Oral briefing from Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
AFBI officials joined the meeting at 11.24am.
Members received an oral briefing from Peter Frost, and Lindsay Easson from AFBI. Key issue discussed was the proposals for NIRO 2011.
Paul Givan left the meeting at 11.25am.
Paul Frew returned to the meeting at 11.30am.
AFBI officials left the meeting at 11.53am.
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 11.53am.
6. Consultation on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation and SL1: Proposed Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (NI) 2010 : Oral briefing from DETI
DETI officials joined the meeting at 11.54am.
Members received an oral briefing from Olivia Martin Principal Officer, DETI Sustainable Energy Branch and Michael Harris, Deputy Principal Officer, DETI Sustainable Energy Branch. Key issue discussed was the proposals for NIRO 2011.
Dr Alasdair McDonnell returned to the meeting at 12.00pm.
Gerry McHugh returned to the meeting at 12.11pm.
Agreed: To invite DETI officials to return next week to discuss the outstanding issues regarding the SL1 on the NIRO.
Agreed: To invite DETI officials to return next week to discuss SWEG in closed session.
DETI officials left the meeting at 12.21pm.
Members agreed to returned to agenda item 4.
4. Matters arising from meeting on 20 January 2011
Gerry McHugh left the meeting at 12.22am.
Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel on the Monitoring of Departmental Efficiency Delivery Plans.
Members noted a response from the Department on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) Visitor Information Strategy.
Agreed: To receive information on the costs for the NITB Steering Group.
Members noted a letter from the Minister on the Carbon Dioxide Directive (2009/31/EC) – Implementation in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To continue to receive updates from the Minister regarding this issue.
Members noted correspondence from the Department regarding the Administrator of the Presbyterian Mutual Society, Arthur Boyd.
Agreed: To invite the Administrator to a future meeting in late February/early March.
Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the Transfer of Functions Order.
7. Draft Forward Work Programme
Members discussed the forward work programme.
Agreed: To schedule an oral briefing with the new Utility Regulator, Shane Lynch on 3 March.
Agreed: To schedule an oral briefing with the Department on 3 February regarding the Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.
Agreed: To invite the Chairs of the following Committees to the Renewable Energy Inquiry Report Long Gallery Event on 17 February: Office of First Minister and deputy First Minister, Agriculture and Rural Development, Employment and Learning, Finance and Personnel, Environment, Regional Development.
Agreed: To host a light lunch to inform the press about the Renewable Energy Inquiry Report’s findings proceeding the meeting on 10 February.
Agreed: To host a lunch for the German Ambassador for the UK on 14 February.
Agreed: To forward the work programme for publication on the Assembly’s website.
8. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
(I) Letter from the Minister to the Chair of the Environment Committee regarding the Planning Bill.
(II) Letter to the Chair from Volunteer Now.
(III) Letter from Invest NI regarding Invest NI’s Policy Programme Screenings.
(IV) Briefing note from NITB regarding the NITB Equality Scheme 2011-2014.
(V) Correspondence from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee to the Department regarding mobile coverage.
Agreed: To forward the letter to the Department.
(VI) Invitation to the Chair from Citizens Advice to launch of the third edition of the Handbook for Debt Advisors in NI.
(VII) Meeting request with the Chair from DCP Strategic Communication regarding the proposed alternative gas storage facility at Larne by Bord Gais and Storengy.
9. Any other business
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 3 February at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.30pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
3 February 2011
20 January 11/ Menu
