ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2000 AT 10.25AM
IN ROOM 120
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Chairperson's business
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Restructuring of DETI agencies
4. Draft terms of reference for the Energy Inquiry
5. Matters arising
6. Any other business
7. Strategy 2010 Inquiry
Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms P Lewsley
Mr McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
Apologies: Mr W Clyde
Mr D S Dalton
In attendance: Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Mr D Donaldson
Miss J Presho
The meeting opened, in private, at 10.25am
1. Chairperson's business
1.1 The Chairperson reported on the recent meeting with Mary O'Rourke TD, the Minister for Public Enterprise, to discuss energy issues. The Committee delegation included the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, Mr McClarty and Mr Dalton. The Chairperson reported that they were very well received. Matters discussed included the north/south gas pipeline project, renewables and the Republic's future plans for energy. A note on the meeting was circulated to members. The Committee Clerk advised that information had been received from the Department of Public Enterprise about an energy study being carried out between both Departments. This information was circulated to members. She also advised that a report had been received from the Department of Public Enterprise titled "Strategy for Intensifying Wind Energy Deployment". This report is available for members in the Committee office.
Agreed - that the Committee should write to the Minister, Sir Reg Empey, on the outcome of the meeting with Mary O'Rourke TD.
Top2. Minutes of last meeting
2.1 The minutes of the meeting of 20 November were agreed.
The meeting was suspended at 10.35am. Ms Morrice left the meeting at this point.
The meeting resumed at 2.05pm. Mr McClarty joined the meeting at this point.
3. Restructuring of DETI agencies
3.1 The draft response to the Minister on his consultation paper was considered paragraph by paragraph.
Dr O'Hagan joined the meeting at 2.15pm and left the meeting at 2.30pm
Mr Wells left the meeting at 2.20pm and returned at 2.37pm
Ms Lewsley joined the meeting at 2.35pm and left at 3.15pm
Agreed - the draft response, as amended, to the Minister on his consultation paper. It was also agreed that a copy of the amended response would be issued to members, for information, before final issue to the Minister.
Top4. Draft terms of reference for the Energy Inquiry
4.1 It was agreed to defer the draft terms of reference for the Energy Inquiry until the next meeting of the Committee.
Top5. Matters Arising
5.1 Response from the Department on the role of NIERC - it was agreed that this issue should be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.
5.2 Visits in the New Year - a provisional work programme for January was circulated to members.
Agreed - that the Committee should also visit the North West Trade Group in January.
Agreed - that the Committee should meet the Chief Executive of IDA and Enterprise Ireland, rather than the respective Boards
Top6. Any other business
6.1. IDB's Annual Report -
Agreed - that a letter should be issued to the Minister complaining that the Committee did not receive a copy of the report prior to publication, and that the letter should be copied to IDB.
6.2 Mr Wells raised the issue of a levy due to be introduced in April 2001 which will have an impact on quarry owners close to the border.
Agreed - that the quarry owners should be invited to meet the Committee in the New Year and that further information on the issue should be sought from the Assembly's Research Office and the Department. Mr Wells agreed to forward a letter he had received from the quarry owners to the Committee Clerk.
Top7. Strategy 2010 Inquiry
7.1 Papers on Strategy 2010 were circulated to members and the report from the Specialist Advisers was discussed.
Agreed - that the Committee should meet next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (4th 5th and 6th ) to discuss Strategy 2010.
TopThe meeting closed at 3.55pm
Mr P Doherty
(Chairperson)