ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday 9 February 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
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
In attendance: Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Mr M Anderson
Miss J Presho
In attendance for part of meeting: Mr D McIldoon (Ofreg)
Mr S Murphy (Ofreg)
Mr N Carson (Ofreg)
1. Chairperson's Business
i. Meeting with the Minister - the Chairperson reported that both he and the Deputy Chair had recently met the Minister regarding overseas visits. The Minister explained that he would welcome committee members accompanying IDB on promotional visits. However, members would not be required on visits which had purely a commercial focus. The Chairperson also stated that the Minister had extended an invitation to the Chair and Deputy Chair to visit the DETI offices. It was agreed that the invitation should be accepted. Finally, the Chairperson reported that he had invited the Minister to the working lunch with business editors.
ii. Meeting with BIA manager - the Chairperson reported on his meeting with Mr Paul Kehoe, the managing director of BIA. The Chairperson mentioned that Mr Kehoe had raised some concerns; after discussion the members agreed that further information should be sought; the Committee Clerk will draft letters for consideration at the next meeting of the committee.
iii. The Chairperson reported that the NI Hotel Federation had withdrawn from today's committee meeting; the Committee Clerk read a letter of explanation from the Federation.
iv. Travel - the committee agreed to travel economy on visits abroad; it was suggested that this issue should be raised with other committee chairs.
v. US visit - it was agreed that up to 5 members could visit the US, one member from each of UUP, SDLP, DUP, SF and others; the members agreed to let the Chairperson know if they would be able to participate.
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Ms P Lewsley.
3. Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
4. Matters arising
i. The Chairperson advised that the lunch with business editors had been arranged for 23 February.
ii. Strategy 2010 - the Chairperson reported that a further submission had been received.
iii. The Chairperson reported that a meeting had been arranged with the Minister for 21 February to discuss the Department's budget proposals for 2000/01; it was agreed that this meeting should be in public.
iv. North Foreshore - the particular problems associated with this site were discussed; it was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Chairs of the Regional Development and Environment committees seeking further information.
5. Press releases
The draft press releases were discussed and amendments were agreed.
6. Statutory Rule - "Price Marking Order (Northern Ireland) 2000"
The Committee Clerk reported that a proposal note on the above Statutory Rule had been sent to the committee for its consideration. The Rule is being introduced to ensure that legislation is in place throughout the UK to implement EC Directive 98/6/EC by 18 March 2000. It was agreed that clarification should be sought from the Department on some points.
7. Department's Spending Plans for 2000/01
The members discussed the department's spending plans for 2000/01 and a number of questions were raised. It was agreed that these questions could be collated and put to the Minister when he attends the committee meeting on 21 February.
8. Any other business
i. It was reported that a letter had been sent to the department seeking information about the rules on the export of machinery.
ii. Strategy 2010 - the Chairperson advised that he had received advice and it was in order for individual parties to make submissions on the Strategy 2010 Inquiry.
iii. The response from IDB on "inward investment targets" and "jobs promoted targets" was circulated; it was agreed that a further point of clarification should be sought; it was also suggested that IDB should be invited to attend a future meeting of the committee to discuss this issue in further detail.
9. Presentation by Ofreg
Mr McIldoon, in his presentation, outlined the main issues concerning Ofreg - the high price of electricity, the low gas market share of the energy market, the environmental impact of energy production, and fuel poverty. Mr McIldoon also covered the objectives/aspirations for the organisation and some of its key successes to date. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. The Chairperson thanked Mr McIldoon and his team for their enlightening and informative presentation.
10. Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 16 February 2000 at 10.30am in the IRTU offices in Lisburn.
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)