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PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP TO CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING NORTHERN IRELAND Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 24 August 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am. In the Chair: Jim Wells Present: Dr Esmond Birnie In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk) The meeting commenced at 10.08am in closed session.
1. Apologies David Ford (Mr McCarthy attended the meeting as Alliance representative in place of Mr Ford). Michelle Gildernew MP (Mr McElduff attended the meeting as SF representative in place of Ms Gildernew). Ian Paisley Jnr (Mr Poots attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley). Peter Weir (Mr Newton attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Weir).
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 22 August 2006 These were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.
3. Matters Arising Members noted a holding response from the NIO in relation to the sub-group’s request for information on the working group to be established to look at industrial de-rating. It was noted that the information would be forwarded to members on receipt. As the sub-group had requested the Preparation for Government Committee to extend its mandate to further consider key issues such as the skills deficit and the composition of an economic package, it was agreed that, should this request be approved, evidence could be sought from the Sector Skills Development Agency.
4. Additional Written Submission Members noted the additional written submission from BT on the BT/NICCI quarterly business survey. Mr Poots joined the meeting at 10.15am.
5. Draft Report Members noted the additional party submissions from the UUPAG and the SDLP. Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.22am. Members agreed the format of the final report and noted that the transcript of today’s meeting would not be included in the report as it was in closed session. Following debate, it was agreed that the UUPAG paper for inclusion in the report should be updated to reflect their view that co-operation with the Republic of Ireland should be driven by practical and economic arguments and recognising the fact that the Republic was also a competitor in relation to the Northern Ireland economy. Members then considered and agreed the draft report as follows: Title Page Agreed. Mr McCarthy joined the meeting at 10.50am. Membership and Terms for Reference Agreed. List of Contents Agreed. Executive Summary Agreed subject to minor amendment. Recommendations Agreed subject to minor amendment to paragraphs 3, 7 and 18. It was also agreed that:
Introduction Paragraphs 1- 7 were agreed. Consideration of Evidence Paragraphs 8- 10 were agreed. Paragraphs 11- 17 were agreed. Paragraphs 18- 22 were agreed. Paragraph 23 was agreed subject to the addition of other issues in the education sector such as teaching methods, the breadth and depth of the curriculum and school discipline. Paragraphs 24- 29 were agreed. Paragraph 30 was agreed subject to verification of the statistics on R&D spend in paragraph 30(v). Paragraphs 31- 34 were agreed. Paragraphs 35- 38 were agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraphs 39- 42 were agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraphs 43- 46 were agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraphs 47- 51 were agreed. Paragraphs 52- 58 were agreed. Paragraphs 59- 62 were agreed. Paragraphs 63- 66 were agreed. Paragraphs 67- 71 were agreed. Paragraphs 72- 74 were agreed. Paragraphs 75- 79 were agreed subject to the verification of the contribution of tourism to the Northern Ireland economy detailed in paragraph 79. Paragraphs 80- 85 were agreed. Paragraph 86 was agreed subject to amendment to reflect the changes previously agreed to the ‘Recommendations’ section. Fiscal Initiatives That May Promote FDI and Indigenous Investment Paragraphs 87- 91 were agreed. Paragraphs 92- 94 were agreed. Paragraph 95 was agreed subject to inclusion of DFP estimated costs to the Treasury of reducing corporation tax. Paragraphs 96- 101 were agreed. R&D Tax Credits Paragraph 102 was agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraphs 103- 107 were agreed. Grants Paragraphs 108- 109 were agreed. Rates Relief – Lowering Business Costs Paragraphs 110- 113 were agreed. Zoning Paragraphs 114- 115 were agreed. Cross-Border Incentives Paragraphs 116- 117 were agreed. Loans and Public Private Partnerships Paragraphs 118- 119 were agreed. Views of the Political Parties Paragraphs 120- 127 were agreed. Paragraph 128 was agreed subject to the inclusion of a summary of the additional points to be included in the UUPAG’s paper. Conclusions Paragraph 129 was agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraph 130 was agreed subject to the addition of a third bullet point setting out the key issues identified by the sub-group which any independent study should address. Paragraph 131 was agreed. Other Matters Including How An Economic Package/Peace Dividend Could Contribute To Economic Regeneration And How This Might Be Delivered Paragraphs 132- 136 were agreed. Paragraph 137 was agreed subject to minor amendment. Paragraphs 138- 144 were agreed. Views of the Political Parties On The Sub-Group Paragraphs 145- 150 were agreed. Conclusions Paragraphs 151- 153 were agreed. List of Abbreviations Agreed subject to minor amendment.
6. Any Other Business Members noted that changes agreed at today’s meeting would be made to the current draft and the final report would then be sent to the Preparation for Government Committee on Friday 25 August 2006, together with a memo requesting an extension to the sub-group’s terms of reference. It was agreed that the draft minutes of proceedings of today’s meeting would be included in the Report, as unapproved minutes. Members noted that copies of the final report would be distributed to all nominated members and the 5 sub-group chairpersons.
7. Next Meeting The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Tuesday 5 September 2006 at 10.00am. The meeting adjourned at 12.47pm. |