COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Paul Givan
Ms Jennifer McCann
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Sohui Yim (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr William Irwin
The meeting began at 10.55am in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on the 3 March 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 3 March were agreed.
3. Matters arising from meeting on 3 March 2011
Members discussed a draft report and documents regarding the Committee’s consideration of the legislative consent motion on the Energy Act 2011.
Agreed: Content with the report and the documents.
Members discussed responses from Committees regarding the Executive’s Economic Strategy – priorities for sustainable growth.
Agreed: To forward the responses to the Department.
Agreed: The Committee Office to forward the response from OFMDFM when received.
Members noted a response from the Department regarding the NITB Business Tourism Plan.
Members noted a press release from the Economic Advisory Group regarding the Draft Budget.
Members discussed a response from the Department regarding the Titanic Signature Project and Signature Building.
Agreed: To write to the Minister to obtain her views on whether the Project will meet its deadline and request a response in time for consideration at next week’s meeting.
Members discussed correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel regarding the draft budget.
Agreed: To forward copies of responses to the draft budget received from outside organisations to the Committee for Finance and Personnel.
Members noted two draft responses to the OFMDFM Committee regarding European Engagement and the Sustainable Development Commission.
Agreed: Content with the responses and to forward the responses to the OFMDFM Committee.
4. Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR): Oral Briefing
NIAUR officials joined the meeting at 11.02am.
Jennifer McCann joined the meeting at 11.04am.
Members received an oral briefing from Shane Lynch, the Utility Regulator, Tanya Wishart, Acting Director of Electricity and Neil Bingham, Manager, Gas Directorate. Key issues discussed included gas prices, heating oil and extending the gas network to the West.
Paul Givan joined the meeting at 11.10am.
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.30am.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 11.47am.
Paul Givan left the meeting at 11.53am.
Members noted that the Department will consult on postilisation for extending the gas network to the West.
NIAUR officials left the meeting at 12.08pm.
5. Jobs Plan: Oral Briefing regarding the Jobs Plan
Officials joined the meeting at 12.09pm.
Members received an oral briefing from Glynn Roberts, Chief Executive, NIIRTA; Nigel Smyth, Director, CBI Northern Ireland, and Ann McGregor, Chief Executive, NI Chamber of Commerce. Key issues discussed included challenges for the economy, employment law, corporation tax and an export strategy for Northern Ireland.
Claire McGill left the meeting at 1.19pm.
Officials left the meeting at 1.20pm.
6. Subordinate Legislation: SR 2011/31 Electricity (Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from Renewable Energy Sources) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and SR 2011/40 Categories of Tourist Establishment Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee discussed the SRs.
The following questions were put and agreed by the Committee:
Question put and agreed: "That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered SR 2011/31 The Electricity (Guarantees of Origin of Electricity Produced from Renewable Energy Sources) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) and has no objection to the rule.”
Question put and agreed: “That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered SR 2011/40 The Categories of Tourist Establishment Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly”
7. 1% Energy Efficiency Target: Written Briefing from DETI
Members noted the written briefing.
8. Consultation for Telecommunications Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2011-2015: Written Briefing from DETI
Members agreed to defer this item to next week.
9. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011: Written Briefing from the Health and Safety Executive NI
Members noted the written briefing.
10. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
- A letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding Market Surveillance and CE Marking Regulations 2010.
- A letter to the Chair and Deputy Chair from Invest NI regarding Invest NI’s Stakeholder Survey.
- A consultation document on Implementation of changes to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on nuclear third party liability.
- An invitation from the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association to the Chair to a networking dinner on Monday 21 March.
11. Any other business
Members discussed arranging a short meeting after 10 March.
Agreed: To hold a short meeting during one of the Plenary days.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 10 March at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.28pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
10 March 2011
24 February 11 / Menu
