COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 10 MARCH 2011
ROOM 30, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Alban Maginness (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Paul Frew
Mr William Irwin
Ms Claire McGill
Mr Sean Neeson
Dr Alasdair McDonnell
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr David McKee (Clerical Supervisor)
Ms Michelle McDowell (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Jennifer McCann
The meeting began at 10.50am in closed session.
1. Implementation of the IME3 Package (The Third Energy Package): Oral briefing from DETI
DETI officials joined the meeting at 10.50am.
Members received an oral briefing from Fred Frazer, Head of DETI Energy Markets Branch and Helen Vaughan, DETI Energy Markets Branch. Key issues discussed included DETI’s consideration of the IME3 Package.
The Committee commenced in open session at 11.18am.
2. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
3. Minutes of meeting held on the 3 March 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 3 March were agreed.
4. SL1 Proposed European Union Third Energy Package Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011: Oral briefing from DETI
Members received an oral briefing from Fred Frazer, Head of DETI Energy Markets Branch and Helen Vaughan, DETI Energy Markets Branch
Agreed: officials to notify the Minister and the Department of the Committee’s concerns in relation to the timing of consultation responses and legislation coming to the Committee for scrutiny.
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Proposed European Union Third Energy Package Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
DETI officials left the meeting at 11.33pm.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 11.33pm.
5. Update on the delivery of the MATRIX agenda
DETI officials joined the meeting at 11.35am.
William Irwin left the meeting at 11.35am.
Members received an oral briefing from Bernard McKeown, DETI Innovation Policy Unit - Head of MATRIX, Norman Apsley, Chief Executive, NI Science Park and Niall Casey, Director Invest NI Business Improvement Services. Key issues discussed included the challenge for Northern Ireland in moving to an economy based on new high-tech, high value-added industries; the importance of “industry-led innovation communities” to access global market opportunities; and the importance of collaboration between businesses and with academia and government.
Agreed: to ask the Department the level of commercialisation of the DHSPSS Research and Development office since it was established.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.39am.
William Irwin returned to the meeting at 11.45am.
Sean Neeson returned to the meeting at 12.24pm.
DETI officials left the meeting at 12.29pm.
6. Matters arising from meeting on 3 March 2011
Members noted a letter from the Minister to the Chair acknowledging receipt of the Committee’s report on the renewable energy inquiry.
Members noted correspondence from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding INTERREG and SEUPB.
Members noted a briefing paper from the Committee Office regarding the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) consultation on Electricity Market Reform (EMR).
Members discussed a response from Ofcom regarding 3G mobile coverage in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: to forward the response to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
Members noted a statutory rule and explanatory memorandum from OFMDFM regarding transfer of functions from DETI to DFP.
Members noted an employment legislation timeline from the British Chambers of Commerce following last week’s oral briefing on the Jobs Plan.
Members noted a letter from the Minister regarding the Titanic Signature Project assuring the Committee that she is confident that it will be completed by April 2011.
Members noted notification from the Department that it is not in a position to respond to the all-island agri-food study from InterTradeIreland as the Report is in draft form and has therefore not been formally published.
7. Statutory Rule: The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Committee discussed the SR.
The following question was put and agreed by the Committee:
Question put and agreed: “That the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules’ Twelfth Report, recommends that it be affirmed by the Assembly”
8. Subordinate Legislation: SL1s
Members discussed the Tourism (Amendment) (2011 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Tourism (Amendment) (2011 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
Members discussed the Statutory Inspection Of Tourist Establishments (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Statutory Inspection Of Tourist Establishments (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 12.34pm
Members discussed the Categories of Tourist Establishment (Statutory Criteria) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Categories of Tourist Establishment (Statutory Criteria) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
Members discussed the Statutory Inspection of Tourist Establishments (Notices, Certificates and Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Statutory Inspection of Tourist Establishments (Notices, Certificates and Forms) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
Members discussed the Energy (2011 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011
Agreed: that the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has considered DETI’s proposal for subordinate legislation under the Energy (2011 Act) (Commencement) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 and has no objection to the policy implications of the proposed legislation at this stage.
9. Consultation for Telecommunications Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2011-2015: Written Briefing from DETI
Members discussed the written briefing.
Agreed: to bring the matter to the attention of the incoming Committee in the Committee’s End of Mandate Report.
10. Communications and Access Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for Invest NI: Written Briefing from Invest NI
Members noted the written briefing.
11. Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland – Draft Corporate Plan: Written briefing from DETI
Members noted the written briefing.
12. Consultation on a Proposed Amendment to the Price Marking Order (Northern Ireland) 2004
Members noted the consultation document.
13. Draft End of Session Report 2010-2011 & Draft End of Mandate Report 2007-2011
Members noted the draft reports.
Agreed: for the Chair in consultation with the Deputy Chair to approve the final version of the reports.
14. Correspondence
Members noted the following items of correspondence:
I. Correspondence from DFP regarding the NICS Office consumables contract
II. A Departmental news release regarding Stephen Kingon’s resignation from Invest NI.
Agreed: to write to Mr Kingon to thank him for his contribution to the Committee.
III. DETI Mineral Development and Petroleum Production Accounts
IV. A letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding Bill proposals for Common Arrangements for Gas (CAG)
Agreed: to bring the matter to the attention of the incoming Committee in the Committee’s End of Mandate Report.
V. A letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Bioenergy Action Plan.
Agreed: to bring the matter to the attention of the incoming Committee in the Committee’s End of Mandate Report.
VI. A request from the Latvian Ambassador to meet with members of the Committee either on Monday, 14 March or Tuesday, 15 March.
15. Any other business
The Chairperson thanked members and committee staff for their contributions to the Committee.
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Monday 21 March at 10.00am, Parliament Buildings, Room 21.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.48pm.
Alban Maginness
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
21 March 2011
03 March 11 / Menu
