Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 15 January 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: 
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton 
Mr Alan McFarland 
Mr Sean Neeson 
Mr Robin Newton 
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP

In Attendance: 
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: 
Mr Gerry McHugh 
Mr Jim Wells

The meeting opened at 10.32 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Declaration of Interests.

There were no new interests declared.

3. Minutes of meeting held on 11 December 2008.

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 11 December 2008 were agreed.

4. Matters Arising.

Members were provided with an update in relation to the Department of Social Development’s consultation paper on the possible involvement of Credit Unions in the administration of the Social Fund.

Members noted that a meeting had been arranged for 19 January with Eric Leenders, British Bankers Association and representatives from the four main local banks.

Departmental Official Malachy McKernan joined the meeting at 10.42 a.m.

Malachy McKernan provided members with additional information in relation to the Energy (Amendment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

Departmental Official Malachy McKernan left the meeting at 10.46 a.m.

5. Social Economy Enterprise Strategy

Members noted the content of a further draft Strategy document from the Department and a briefing paper from the Clerk.

Agreed: That the draft Strategy document is to be shared with other relevant Assembly Committees and that any subsequent comments would be included, along with this Committee’s comments, in a composite response to the Department.

6. Credit Union Inquiry – Draft Report

The meeting moved into closed session at 10.55 a.m. 
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.05 a.m.

Members considered the content of the first draft of the Report into the Committee’s Inquiry into Credit Unions.

Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 12.01 p.m. 
Robin Newton left the meeting at 12.29 p.m. 
The meeting moved into public session at 12.50 p.m. 
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.51 p.m.

7. SL1 – Measuring Instruments (EEC Requirements) (Verification Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.

8. SL1 – Weights & Measures (Passing as Fit for Use for Trade & Adjustment Fees) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.

9. SL1 - Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2009

Agreed: That the Committee had no comment at this time.

10. Forward Work Programme

Members noted the content of the draft Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: That the Committee would hold a future meeting at the North West Marketing premises in the North West Business Complex.

11. Correspondence

The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:

• List of Invest NI Market Visits Programme 2009.
• Invitation to attend Infrastructure Ireland 2009 Conference.
• Request from North West Marketing for committee to hold meeting at North West Business Complex.
• Invitation to brief committee from Institution of Engineering and Technology on STEM subjects.
• Response from Minister to Chair of OFMDFM Committee regarding economic downturn.
• Letter from member of the public regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip.
• Letter of thanks from the Social Economy Network following briefing on draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy.
• Letter from Employment and Learning Clerk regarding Employment Services Board.
• Report from NIPSA regarding use of PFI/PPP’s in Northern.
• Letter from DETI regarding 2008/2009 monitoring of expenditure – Executive response to Global Economic Downturn.
• Memo from the Environment Clerk regarding the Environment Committee’s Inquiry into Climate Change – Terms of Reference provided in advance of a formal request for comments from the Committee.
• Letter from the Environment Committee Office regarding public sector funding for reduction of carbon emissions.
• Letter from DFP to Finance and Personnel Clerk regarding the Strategic Stocktake.
• Additional financial information, received via the Finance & Personnel Committee, following the Finance and Personnel Minister’s statement to the Assembly on 15 December.
• Copy of the Consumer Council’s Annual Report and Accounts 2007 – 2008.

12. Any Other Business.

There were no additional items of business.

13. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 January 2009 at 10.00 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.10 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

January 2009