ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 10 2001 AT 11.10AM
IN ROOM 144 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Public Evidence Session
2. Future Work Programme
3. Chairperson's Business
4. Minutes of the Last Meeting
5. Matters Arising
6. Energy Inquiry
7. Statutory Rules- No. 375 and No. 388
8. Any Other Business
9. Strategy 2010
Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mr W Clyde
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
Apologies: Ms P Lewsley
In attendance: Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Miss J Presho
Mr D Donaldson
In attendance for public evidence session at 11.15am: NI Quarry Products Association - Mr P Clarke, Mr M Murphy, Mr W McNabb, Mr C Jenkins, Mr P Lyons and Mr N Lucas
The meeting opened, in private, at 11.10am1. Public evidence session at 11.15am - NI Quarry Products Association
1.1. The organisation gave a presentation to the Committee on the proposed aggregates tax. They stressed their concerns about the impact of the proposed tax and why, in their view, it should not be introduced in NI. The Association answered a number of questions put to them by the members.
The public evidence session ended at 12.10pm and the meeting went into private session
Mr Attwood, Mr Wells and Dr McDonnell left the meeting at this point
Agreed - to support the Quarry Products Association and to issue an appropriate letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and issue copies to the relevant Ministers and Committee Chairs. It was also agreed that the Ministers for DETI and DoE should be urged to meet the Association.
Agreed - to issue a press notice expressing support for the Association.
Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 12.35pm
Top2. Future Work Programme
2.1. A draft programme of work for January and February was circulated to members.
2.2. Visit from the Joint Committee for Enterprise and Small Business on 16 January - an agenda for this meeting was agreed.
2.3. Visits to Dublin, Scotland and Wales - the itineraries for these visits were discussed and agreed.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 1.00pm
Top3. Chairperson's business
3.1. The Chairperson reported that he had received a response from the Minister regarding the closure of Fermanagh Creameries. A copy of the letter was circulated to members and the Minister's comments were noted. The Committee Clerk advised that Dairy Crest had accepted an invitation to meet the Committee in February.
Top4. Minutes of the last meeting
4.1. The minutes of the meeting of 18 December were agreed.
Top5. Matters Arising
5.1. Letter from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures regarding a review of the legislative process in the NI Assembly -
Agreed - that the Committee Clerk should issue a letter to the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures highlighting a particular area of concern about the present legislative process.
5.2 It was agreed that the response from the Clerk of the Committee of the Centre on the questions raised about the Economic Policy Unit should be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.
5.2. It was agreed that discussion of the briefing on Unlocking Creativity would be deferred to next week's meeting.
Top6. Energy Inquiry
6.1. Appointment of a Specialist Adviser -
Agreed - not to appoint a Specialist Adviser at this stage.
Top7. Statutory Rules - No. 375 and No. 388
It was agreed to revisit these Statutory Rules when the Examiner of Statutory Rules has considered the technical aspects of the Rules.
The meeting was adjourned at 1.25pm and resumed at 2.20pm
Top8. Any other business
8.1. Ulster Bank issue - the issue was further discussed and it was agreed that the Committee should await the outcome of the tribunal hearing, due shortly, before deciding what action to take.
The meeting was adjourned at 2.35pm
The meeting resumed at 3.05pm with Mr Neeson in the Chair
Mr Clyde joined the meeting at this point
Mr Doherty rejoined the meeting at 3.10pm and resumed the Chair
9. Strategy 2010
9.1. A discussion took place on the report on Strategy 2010.
The meeting closed at 4.05pm
TopMr P Doherty
(Chairperson)