ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2001 AT 10.15AM
IN ROOM 144
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
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:
Mr P Doherty
Mrs A Courtney
In attendance:
Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss J Presho (Executive Support)
Mr D Donaldson (Administrative Support)
Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Researcher)
In attendance for private evidence session at 10.30am: Mr W Hamilton, Ms P Alexander and Mr J Hinds (DETI)
In attendance for public evidence session at 11.30am: Mr D McIldoon, Mr J Hutchinson and Mr K Sheils (OFREG)
The meeting opened, in private, at 10.15am
Mr Neeson assumed the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson
1. Minutes of the meetings held on 16 May (pm) and 13 June 2001
Agreed - the minutes of the meetings held on 16 May (pm) and 13 June 2001.
2. Statutory Rule 202/2001 - Weights and Measures - Non-automatic Weighing Instruments (Use for Trade) Regulations (NI) 2001
2.1. The Committee took account of the report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules on the technical aspects of this Rule - none of the grounds specified in Standing Order 41(4) were raised by the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Agreed - that the Committee accept the Statutory Rule.
Mr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.24am
3. Seminar on Government Finance and the Budget Process
3.1. The Committee were advised of a seminar taking place in September on government finance and the budget process. Members were asked to indicate their desire and availability to attend.
4. Energy Inquiry
4.1. The Committee Clerk updated the Committee on the arrangements for the Committee visit to Denmark and Brussels. Members were asked to indicate their availability to attend this visit.
5. Developing the Programme for Government and the Budget 2002/2003 - Private Session
5.1. Officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment gave a short presentation to the Committee on developing the Programme for Government and the budget 2002/2003. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Attwood joined the meeting at 10.56am
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 11.02am
6. NIE and OFREG Reports on the Electricity System Performance during 27 and 28 February 2001
Agreed - to send a copy of the Committee's responses to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment.
The meeting went into public session at 11.33am
Ms Morrice rejoined the meeting at 11.35am
7. Energy Inquiry - Public Evidence Session
5.1. Officials from the Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas (OFREG) gave a short presentation to the Committee on the Committee's inquiry into Energy. This was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 12.20pm
Mr Wells left the meeting at 12.30pm
Mr Attwood left the meeting at 12.35pm
The meeting went into private session at 12.40pm
8. Single Equality Bill
8.1. The Committee considered the consultation paper on the Single Equality Bill.
Agreed - to prepare a draft response to be issued and agreed by Members by Monday 25
Mr Wells rejoined the meeting at 12.46pm
Dr O'Hagan left the meeting at 12.46pm
9. OFREG Consultation Report - Electricity Market Opening
9.1. The Committee considered a number of issues relating to the opening of the electricity market.
Agreed - to defer any decision to the next meeting.
10.1. Maintenance of Direct Air Links with London Hub Airports
10.1. The Committee considered a letter received from the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland relating to the maintenance of direct air links from Northern Ireland airports with the hub airports in London.
Agreed - to note the correspondence and to consult with the Committee for Regional Development. It was also agreed to look at this matter after Summer Recess.
11. Any other business
11.1. International Conference on Regulation Reform Management and Scrutiny of Legislation - the Committee Clerk advised the Committee of details of a conference taking place in Australia during 9-13 July.
Agreed - that the Chairperson could represent the Committee at this conference if available.
Dr O'Hagan rejoined the meeting at 12.55pm
11.2. Aggregates Tax - The Committee Clerk updated the Committee on the issue of the proposed Aggregates Tax being introduced in 2002.
Agreed - to write to Friends of the Earth noting the position.
Mr Attwood rejoined the meeting at 1.05pm
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 1.05pm
11.3. Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland Investigation - Dr O'Hagan circulated correspondence concerning a fatal accident that took place in her constituency in 1999. She asked that the Committee support the family by requesting the HSENI investigation to be re-opened.
Agreed - to consider the correspondence and to make a decision at the next meeting.
12. Date of next meeting
12.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 27 June at 10am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 1.14pm
Mr S Neeson
(Deputy Chairperson)