COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 30 JANUARY 2002 AT 10.48AM IN
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr P Doherty MP (Chairperson)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr W Clyde
Mrs A Courtney
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
Apologies: Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
In attendance: Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr R Anderson (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss A Fowler (Clerical Officer)
Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Researcher)
In attendance for the public evidence session at 11.08am: Dr I Morris, Mr M Ennis, Mr D Dobbin and Mr N Smyth (Confederation of British Industry (CBI)).
The meeting opened in public at 10.48am.
1. Chairperson's Business
1.1 The Chairperson gave a report to the Committee of business conducted at the recent Chairpersons' Liaison Committee.
2. Minutes of the Last Meetings
2.1 Agreed - the minutes of 23 January 2002.
Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.53am.
Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 10.55am.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland: Draft Corporate Plan - Members discussed the draft Plan and summary prepared by the Committee Office, and offered additional comments.
Agreed - to reply to HSENI with the Committee's comments.
3.2 Visit to TourismIrelandLimited - the Committee Clerk reported that the proposed date for a visit to Coleraine did not suit TIL as it is moving to new premises.
Agreed - to visit the TIL offices in Coleraine on 6 March 2002.
4. Letter from Mr D McConaghy
Agreed - to note the correspondence received.
5. Banking Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
5.1 The Committee Clerk reported that the issue was a 'reserved matter' and therefore would need to be raised by OFMDFM with the Secretary of State.
Agreed - to refer the issue to the Committee of the Centre for consideration.
6. Industrial De-rating
6.1 A delegation from the CBI outlined their concerns at the potential reintroduction of industrial rating for businesses in Northern Ireland.
Mrs Courtney left the meeting at 11.40am.
Dr O'Hagan joined the meeting at 11.52am.
Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 12.19pm.
Agreed - to issue a press release supporting the continuation of industrial de-rating.
Agreed - to write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment detailing the Committee's concerns and seeking his support within the Executive for the continuation of industrial de-rating.
7. HSENI's Draft Corporate Plan
7.1 Dr O'Hagan asked that consideration be given to her written comments on the draft Corporate Plan.
Agreed - to defer a response to HSENI until Members had considered Dr O'Hagan's additional comments.
8. Tourism Inquiry
8.1 The Committee considered how best to advertise for a Specialist Adviser for the Tourism inquiry.
Agreed - in principle, to advertise the post in appropriate trade journals in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Scotland. It was further agreed that the details would be approved by the Chairperson.
9. European Commission Proposed Legislation
9.1 The Committee Clerk explained that the Committee need to decide which proposals will be looked at in more detail as time did not permit all proposals to be examined.
Agreed - to consider the matter for a decision at a future meeting.
10. Any Other Business
10.1 Letter from Hutchinson 3G - the Committee considered a request from Hutchinson 3G to brief the Committee on developments on third generation telecommunications in Northern Ireland.
Agreed - to offer a meeting with Hutchinson 3G.
10.2 Biocidal Products Regulations SR422-01 - the Committee Clerk reported that officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment would appear before the Committee next week to explain the department's position in relation to a problem identified by the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
The meeting went into private session at 12.45pm.
11. Energy Inquiry
11.1 The Committee continued to deliberate on its draft report.
Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 12.50pm.
Agreed - to meet on Tuesday 5 February to finalise the report.
Ms Morrice joined the meeting at 1.02pm.
12. Any Other Business (continued)
12.1 Invitation to the 8th Irish Innovation Lecture - the Committee considered an invitation for the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to attend a lecture on 6 February in the Ramanda Hotel.
Agreed - that Dr McDonnell should attend in place of the Deputy Chairperson who is unavailable to attend.
13. Date of Next Meeting
13.1 The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday 5 February 2002 at 10.30am in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 1.05pm.
Mr Pat Doherty MP
Chairperson