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PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP TO CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING NORTHERN IRELAND Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 9 November 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Jim Wells Present: Leslie Cree In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk) The meeting commenced at 10.04am in closed session.
1. Apologies Dr. Esmond Birnie (Mr Cree attended the meeting as UUP representative in place of Dr Birnie). Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP (Mr Dallat attended the meeting as SDLP representative in place of Dr McDonnell). Ian Paisley Jnr (Mr Newton attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley Jnr). Peter Weir (Mr Dawson attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Weir).
2. Draft Minutes of Meeting on 26 October 2006 These were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.
3. Matters Arising The Principal Clerk and Victor Hewitt, Director of ERINI, updated members on the preparations for and the outcome of the meeting with the Chancellor on 1 November 2006. It was noted that the Secretary of State was to write to party leaders with further details of the Chancellor’s offer. Members debated the outcome of the meeting with the Chancellor and the potential role which the sub-group could play in further negotiations. Mr McNarry proposed that approval should be sought from the Committee on the Preparation for Government for the sub-group to provide a link between the political parties and the Government during negotiations on the economic package. This was agreed unanimously, subject to an acknowledgement that such a role may instead be fulfilled by the Programme for Government Committee. Members agreed to seek approval from the Committee on the Preparation for Government fro the sub-group to continue to meet to develop counter proposals to the economic package currently on offer. Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.06am.
4. Draft ERINI Research - ‘Assessing the Case for a Differential Rate of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland’ Victor Hewitt, ERINI and Sir George Quigley, Industrial Task Force, briefed members on the above research. Members were informed that the research would be published on Wednesday 15 November 2006 and would be sent to the Committee on the Preparation for Government on that date as an appendix to the sub-group’s third report. The meeting was suspended at 12.03pm. Members agreed a draft memo to the Committee on the Preparation for Government on the future role of the sub-group in relation to negotiations on the proposed economic package. It was agreed that this would be circulated to sub-group members so that they could inform their respective party leaders. Mr McNarry joined the meeting at 12.27pm. Members noted the importance of the minutes of the meeting with the Chancellor and the need for these to be requested by the party leaders. Mr Dallat joined the meeting at 12.28pm.
5. Approval of Invoices from Economic Advisors Members approved payments to the economic advisors and agreed to seek approval from the Committee on the Preparation for Government to extend their contracts, should the remit of the sub-group be extended. The sub-group discussed the desirability of commissioning external expertise on the economy in the Republic of Ireland if its remit were to be extended. Mr Ford left the meeting at 1.20pm.
6. Consideration of Sub-Group’s Draft Third Report Members considered the sub-group’s draft third report. It was agreed to meet again on Monday 13 November 2006 to consider the draft report, with a particular focus on the report’s recommendations. Members agreed to send any proposed amendments or additional recommendations to the Principal Clerk by 5.00pm on Friday 10 November 2006.
7. Matters Arising (cont) Members noted the response from the Committee on the Preparation for Government to the sub-group’s report of their meeting on 26 October 2006, together with a submission from the Department for Regional Development. It was noted that the recommendation in relation to water reform may need to be amended when the sub-group considers further the draft third report. Members agreed to seek clarification from DRD on the relationship between water reform and borrowing under the Reinvestment and Reform initiative. Members noted the response from David Hanson, MP regarding the Industrial Derating Working Group. Members noted the response from the Secretary of State to the sub-group’s first report and agreed that this would be considered at a future meeting.
8. Any Other Business Members noted further correspondence from the Consumer Council.
9. Date, time and Place of Next Meeting The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Monday 13 November 2006 at 1.00pm to consider the sub-group’s draft third report. It was agreed that an amended draft report would be issued to all nominated members in advance of the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 1.45pm. |