COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Mr David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Jennifer McCann
Mr William Irwin
The meeting began at 10.16am in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 24 February 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 24 February were agreed.
3. Matters arising from meeting on 24 February 2011
Members discussed correspondence from the Minister and the Department on Draft Damages (Asbestos Related Conditions) (Northern Ireland) Bill.
Agreed: To forward the correspondence to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
Members noted a briefing paper from the Department regarding the Draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2011.
Members discussed correspondence from the Committee for Finance and
Personnel regarding the assistance package to the Presbyterian Mutual Society.
Members expressed disappointment that the issue still has not been resolved, particularly regarding small savers.
Members discussed a response from the Department on the Social Economy Enterprise Strategy (SEE).
Agreed: To write to the Social Economy Network to obtain its views on the budget allocated to the social economy sector.
Members discussed correspondence from the Committee for Justice regarding proposals for statutory rules relating to the Debt Relief Act.
Agreed: To refer the Committee for Justice to the Committee’s report on the Debt Relief Bill.
Members discussed a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To include a suggestion in the end of mandate report for the incoming Committee to invite NITB officials to provide an oral briefing in the new mandate and also request information on the role of Tourism Ireland for tourism in NI and how more can be delivered.
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding implementation of the Carbon Dioxide Directive in NI.
Members discussed a draft letter from the Chair to the Minister regarding the report on the Renewable Energy Inquiry.
Agreed: To write to the Minister and state that this Committee is content for the incoming Committee to seek a response from the incoming Minister in the new mandate.
4. Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) on Renewable Heat: Oral briefing from DETI
DETI officials joined the meeting at 10.30am.
Members received an oral briefing from Alison Clydesdale and Peter Hutchinson, DETI Sustainable Energy Branch. Key issues discussed included an economic appraisal for a Northern Ireland renewable heat incentive, the Energy Act 2011 and how a renewable heat incentive scheme may work in NI.
Agreed: To support the Minister’s intention to seek a legislative consent motion to extend powers for renewable heat to NI.
Agreed: To produce a small report to the Assembly for the motion, to be considered at next week’s meeting (to summarise the background and the Committee’s consideration of the issue).
DETI officials left the meeting at 10.42am.
5. Statutory Rules relating to the Debt Relief Act
The Committee discussed four SRs relating to the Debt Relief Act.
The following questions were put and agreed by the Committee:
Question put and agreed: "That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered the draft Debt Relief (2010 Act) (Transitional Provision) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the draft Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and recommend that they be affirmed by the Assembly.”
Question put and agreed: “That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered SR 2011/14 Insolvency (Fees) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly”
Question put and agreed: “That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered SR 2011/15 The Debt Relief Orders (Designation of Competent Authorities) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the Rule.”
Gerry McHugh joined the meeting at 10.44am.
6. Update on progress with DETI Telecommunications Policy Unit Next Generation Broadband Project: Written Briefing from DETI
Members discussed the written briefing.
Paul Frew joined the meeting at 10.48am.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.50am.
Members noted that the Committee will consider the draft Consultation Document on a Telecommunications Action Plan for NI 2011/2015 at next week’s meeting and that the Department has already stated that a significant funding source is likely to be the Coalition Government's £830m National Broadband Strategy.
Agreed: To receive more information on how this Project is benefitting domestic users and if there have been new connections made in areas that have historically had no broadband coverage.
Members noted a press release from BT regarding fibre broadband infrastructure in NI.
Agreed: Chair and Deputy Chair to meet with BT officials regarding this issue and report back to the Committee.
7. Correspondence
Alban Maginness joined the meeting at 10.53am and took the Chair.
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- Correspondence from the Committee for Environment on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan and the Executive Summary of the plan.
Agreed: To forward to the Department for response.
- Correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure on the recommendations from the inquiry into participation in sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: To forward to the Department for response.
- Correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel on outstanding Post Project Evaluations (PPEs).
Agreed: To forward the paper to the Department and obtain the reason for the delay in completing the outstanding PPEs.
- Correspondence from the Committee for OFMDFM regarding European Engagement:
Agreed: to draft a response to the OFMDFM Committee for consideration at next week’s meeting.
- Correspondence from the Committee for OFMDFM regarding the Sustainable Development Commission.
Agreed: to draft a response to the OFMDFM Committee for consideration at next week’s meeting.
- Correspondence from the Committee for OFMDFM regarding the Legislative Consent Motion on Public Bodies Bill:
Agreed: to forward to the Department for information.
- Briefing paper from the Royal Mail Group on the Postal Services Bill.
- Response to the Draft Budget from:
- Derry City Council
- Colleges NI
- Letter from Invest NI regarding requirements for audit certificates in support of grant claims.
- Invitation to members of the Committee:
- From DETI: The Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan Seminar
- From DETI: The EMR Stakeholder Event
- From Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens: Reception on Community Gardening and Allotments
- Invitation for the Chair to speak at Agenda NI Seminar.
9. Any other business
Members noted the invitation to lunch with the Chilean Ambassador to the UK on Monday, 7 March.
Members discussed the all-island agri-food study commissioned by InterTradeIreland.
Agreed: To forward to the Department for its views and response to the paper.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 3 March at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.11am.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
3 March 2011
10 February 11 / Menu
