COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 12 JUNE 2002 AT 10.30AM IN
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr P Doherty MP MLA (Chairperson)
Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mrs A Courtney
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells
Apologies:
Mr B Armstrong
Mr D McClarty
In attendance:
Mrs C White (Committee Clerk)
Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr S Ball (Clerical Officer)
Miss A Fowler (Clerical Officer)
Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Researcher)
The Committee agreed to open the meeting in private at 10.30am.
1. Draft Equality Impact Assessments
1.1. The Committee discussed draft Equality Impact Assessments on Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment's (DETI) policies in relation to support for existing industry and for the attraction of new inward investment.
Agreed - to issue a response detailing the Committee's concerns.
The meeting went into Public Session at 10.52am.
2. Minutes of the Meeting of 5 June
Agreed - the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 June 2002.
3. Matters Arising
3.1. Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre
The Committee continued to deliberate on the development of Giant's Causeway Visitors' Centre Site.
Agreed - that the sub-Committee would meet with interested parties for round-table discussions on Thursday 20 June, in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle from 11am.
Agreed - not to invite Environment and Heritage Service to round-table discussions.
3.2. Public and Employers' Liability Insurance
The Committee discussed a response received from HM Treasury on the high cost of public and employers' liability insurance premiums for businesses in Northern Ireland.
Agreed - to note the correspondence and to issue a copy of the response to Corralea Activity Centre.
3.3. Rating Policy Re-view - Industrial De-rating
Agreed - a public notice to be published in local newspapers.
4. Insolvency and Company Directors' Disqualification Bills
Agreed - public notices to be published in local newspapers on Wednesday 19 June 2002.
5. Open-Ended Investment Company Bill
The Committee Clerk reported that no written submissions had been received.
Agreed - not to call any witnesses to give oral evidence.
6. Tourism Inquiry
The Committee discussed issues raised at the meeting with the Specialist Adviser and the proposed evidence gathering event in September.
Agreed - a specification for the Event Organiser.
7. AOB
7.1. Visit to Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on 19 June 2002
Agreed - a press release to issue regarding the visit.
7.2. Paper on Bond Financing for Infrastructure Projects
Agreed - a critique to be prepared by Assembly Research on the Bonds Paper and to call up Mr Jamie Delargy on 3 July 2002 to discuss his paper.
7.3. Visit to West Belfast
The Committee Clerk reported that a visit to West Belfast to be held on 28 June 2002 has been cancelled. The visit will be re-scheduled for after Summer Recess.
7.4. European Conference
The Committee Clerk reported to the Committee that the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is holding a European Conference on 27 June 2002 in Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick. Members were asked to indicate to the Clerk if they wished to attend.
8. Date of next meeting
8.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 19 June 2002 at 10.15am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Meeting closed at 11.20am.
Mr Pat Doherty MP MLA
Chairperson