ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday 26 January 2000 at 10.00am in Room 144 Parliament Buildings

Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mr G Campbell
Mr W Clyde
Ms P Lewsley
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr D Shipley Dalton

In attendance: Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Mr M Anderson
Mr W Lavery

In attendance for part of meeting: Mr R Milliken (NI Textiles and Apparel Association)
Dr I McMorris
Mr S O'Dwyer
Ms L Mac Hugh
Mr J Rubery

1. Chairperson's Business

The Chairperson reported that he had received a number of invitations in his capacity as Chair of the committee. It was noted that invitations to meet NIE, Vision 2020 and Belfast International Airport had been accepted.

2. Apologies

No apologies were received.

3. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

4. Matters arising

1. The Minister's letter of 18 January regarding his invite for members of the committee to accompany him to the USA was discussed. It was agreed to seek further information about the make up and nature of the visits before making a decision. It was also suggested that it might be prudent to ascertain if any Ministers or other members of committees intend visiting the USA in March.
2. The Committee Clerk reported that IDB had asked for guidance from the committee regarding the types of businesses the committee would like to visit within Northern Ireland. After discussion it was agreed that the committee would prefer to select its own choice of businesses to visit depending on specific needs at the time. It was agreed to arrange a visit to Harland and Wolff as soon as possible to show the committee's support to the shipyard at this time. It was also suggested that a visit to a textile company might be useful at some point in the future.
3. It was agreed to change the starting time for future committee meetings to 10.00am
4. It was agreed to defer to the next meeting the issue of the North Foreshore of Belfast Lough as the member who raised it was no longer in the meeting.
5. The content of Sir Reg Empey's letter of 22 December was discussed. Mr Campbell proposed that the Committee seek clarification from the Minister as to what he meant by the first sentence of the second paragraph of his letter, namely:

"The political progress that we have made, and the cross-community involvement in developing the economy are very important messages to broadcast overseas, together with the sales message about the business opportunity in Northern Ireland."

The proposal was seconded by Mr Clyde. The proposal was put to the vote with 2 voting For, 5 Against and 2 Abstentions. A record of the vote is attached at Annex 1.

6. The Committee Clerk reported that the issue of Intellectual Property Protection was a reserved matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It was agreed to write to the University of Ulster explaining that the matter was outside the committee's remit.
7. It was agreed to write to Stephen Timms MP, the Treasury Minister responsible for the Climate Change Levy, as per the draft previously circulated. The Chairperson advised that as a matter of protocol a copy of the letter should be sent to the Secretary of State.
8. It was reported that the Senate Chamber could not be block booked in advance for committee meetings. After discussion it was agreed that members of the committee could take the matter up with their Whips.

5. Strategy 2010

Members expressed their disappointment at the lack of press coverage following the announcement of the committee's first inquiry. It was suggested that it might be useful to ask the business editors of the main newspapers to a business lunch in Parliament Buildings. It was agreed to issue a press release following today's meeting with the NI Textile and Apparel Association.

An updated list of "Interested Parties" was circulated for approval. It was agreed to add the new Cross-Border body for trade, the T&EA, NI Centre in Europe and the European Commission to the list.

6. Any other business

1. It was noted that Professor Fulton had extended an invitation to the committee to visit Queen's University's Technology Centre. It was agreed to include the visit on the same day as the visit to IRTU.
2. The Chairperson reported that any members of the committee wishing to attend seminars and conferences because of their membership of the committee would need prior agreement of the committee before organising their attendance. It was agreed that the Committee Clerk should check regarding limits on members attending conferences.
3. It was agreed to accept an invitation from the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee from Westminster to meet with them over lunch.

7. Presentations by Northern Ireland Textile and Apparel Association

Mr R Milliken gave a presentation on the current situation of the textile industry in Northern Ireland and the challenges facing it. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. The Chairperson thanked the members of the delegation for their detailed presentation and candid replies.

8. Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 2 February 2000 at 10.00am in Room 144 Parliament Buildings.

Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)

ANNEX 1

VOTING RECORD

Wednesday 26 January 2000

Item 4.v. Matters Arising

Mr Doherty (Chairperson) Abstain
Mr Attwood Against
Mr Campbell For
Mr Clyde For
Mrs Lewsley Against
Mr McClarty Absent
Dr McDonnell Absent
Ms Morrice Against
Mr Neeson Against
Dr O'Hagan Against
Mr Shipley Dalton Abstain

For 2
Against 5
Abstain 2
Absent 2

Total 11

19 January 2000/ Menu / 02 February 2000