COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2001 AT 10.52AM IN
ROOM 144 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr P Doherty MP (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr W Clyde
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Dr D O'Hagan
In attendance:
Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss J Presho (Executive Support)
Miss A Fowler (Committee Assistant)
The meeting opened in private at 10.52am
1. Apologies
1.1. Apologies were received from Mr Attwood, Mrs Courtney, Ms Morrice and Mr Wells.
2. Minutes of the Last Meetings
Agreed - the minutes of the meetings of 4 July 2001 (am) and (pm).
Mr Neeson left the meeting at 11.00am - the meeting was suspended.
Mr Neeson rejoined the meeting at 11.07am - the meeting was reconvened.
3. Matters Arising
3.1. HSENI Procedures For Investigating Accidents & Fatalities Within The Workplace.
Agreed - to note the correspondence received.
3.2. Planning Application at Giant's Causeway.
Agreed - to note the correspondence received from the department.
4. HSENI Consultative Document - Proposals For Radiation (Emergency Preparedness And Public Information) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
4.1. The Committee considered the proposals to introduce the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (NI) 2001.
Agreed - to advise the Health and Safety Executive that the Committee was content, at this stage, with the proposals.
5. Energy Inquiry
5.1. Lunch with Business Editors
Agreed - to host a lunch for business editors prior to the publication of the Energy inquiry report.
5.2. Visits in Northern Ireland
Agreed - to visit a number of locations in Northern Ireland in connection with the Energy inquiry.
5.3. Draft Report - The Committee considered the draft Energy inquiry report.
Agreed - to meet on Wednesday 19 September to give further consideration to the draft report.
6. Orimulsion
6.1. The Committee considered a request from DMD Consultants to advise the Committee on aspects of the Energy inquiry.
Agreed - to note the correspondence received.
7. Visit to Denmark and Brussels
7.1. The Committee Clerk gave an update on the arrangements being made for the Committee visit to Denmark and Brussels.
Agreed - to issue a press release giving details of the visit.
8. Any Other Business
8.1. Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee - it was reported that the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure is conducting an inquiry into 'Cultural Tourism and the Arts'.
Agreed - that the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee could invite the NI Tourist Board to give evidence to its inquiry.
8.2. Ryder Cup - the Committee Clerk reported that the Chairperson and Committee Clerk had been invited to an event being organised by Tourism Ireland Ltd at this year's Ryder Cup competition. This event is to give businesses in Ireland involved in tourism an opportunity to see the potential that the Ryder Cup can bring to Ireland in 2005.
Agreed - that the Chairperson and Committee Clerk attend this event.
Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 11.30am..
8.3. Industrial Development Bill - The Committee Clerk reported that two submissions had been received in connection with the Committee's public scrutiny of the Industrial Development Bill.
Agreed - to seek further clarification from the Committee for the Administration of Justice.
Mr McClarty left the meeting at 11.35am.
8.4. Restructuring of Development Agencies
Agreed - to invite the Minister and the Chairpersons of IDB and LEDU to give an update on progress on the restructuring of the development agencies.
Mr McClarty rejoined the meeting at 11.43am.
8.5. Belfast City Airport
Agreed - to note correspondence received from Belfast City Airport and to arrange a visit at a later date.
8.6. Financial Seminar - The Committee Clerk reminded Members that a seminar explaining the government financial system has been arranged for Thursday 6 September.
8.7. Gas Pipeline to the North-West
Agreed - to seek an update report from the department and Richard Sterling.
8.8. Attendance at Committee Meetings - Members expressed their disappointment at the non-attendance at meetings by one Member.
Agreed - to write to the Chief Whip expressing the Committee's concerns.
9. Date of Next Meeting
Agreed - the next meeting would take place on Wednesday 19 September at 10.00am in Room 144.
The meeting closed at 1.04pm
Pat Doherty MP
Chairperson