Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 26 February 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland 
Mr Robin Newton
Mr Jim Wells

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

Apologies: Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson

The meeting opened at 10.36a.m. in closed session.

The meeting moved into public session at 10.53 a.m.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 19 February 2009.

Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 19 February 2009 were agreed.

3. Matters Arising.

Members noted a paper from the Clerk regarding the Finance and Personnel Committee’s scrutiny of Public Procurement policy and practice.

Agreed: That the Clerk should write to the Clerk of the Finance and Personnel Committee and provide relevant briefing papers.

Members noted a recent press release regarding Project Kelvin.

Members noted that the Department would be providing information in relation to Neighbourhood Renewal in time for the forthcoming debate.

4. Economic Downturn

Representatives joined the meeting at 11.00 a.m.

Alan McFarland left the meeting at 11.10 a.m.

Institute of Directors officials, Linda Brown, Director, Joanne Stewart, Chair, Philip Cassidy, Chair of IoD Public Services Committee and Michael Murray, Chair of IoD Economic Strategy Committee , briefed the Committee on the current economic downturn. Key issues discussed included the need for the Executive to appoint an ‘Economy Champion’, actions required in relation to finance, planning and procurement and the need to economy-proof policies.

Representatives left the meeting at 11.49 p.m.

5. Credit Union Inquiry

Representatives joined the meeting at 11.50 a.m.

Ulster Federation of Credit Unions officials Tommy Jeffers, Development and Share Protection Officer and John Junkin, Board Member briefed the Committee on their initial reactions to the Committee’s report on Credit Unions. Key issues discussed included the recommendations contained in the report, the need for early liaison with the Department and the FSA and the need for additional training.

Representatives left the meeting at 12.01 p.m.

6. Credit Union Inquiry

Representatives joined the meeting at 12.02 p.m.

Irish League of Credit Unions representatives Uel Adair, President, Kevin Helferty, Director, and Fiona Cullen, Head of Legal & Secretariat briefed the Committee on their initial reactions to the Committee’s report on Credit Unions. Key issues discussed included the recommendations contained in the report, concerns over regulation by the FSA and the additional costs that this might bring.

Representatives left the meeting at 12.30 p.m.

7. Project Kelvin

Officials joined the meeting at 12.33 p.m.

Jim Wells left the meeting at 12.33 p.m.

Departmental officials David Sterling, Head of Policy Group and Fiona Hepper, Head of Strategic Policy and Statistics briefed the Committee on the latest developments regarding Project Kelvin.

Officials left the meeting at 12.41 p.m.

8. SL1: The Health & Safety Information for Employees (Amendment) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009

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

9. Correspondence

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

• Copy of a series of letters relating to Douglas McIldoon’s report.
• Copy of a letter sent by the Head of Outreach for the NI Assembly to the DETI Minister regarding a British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Economic Committee report entitled ‘Renewable Energy except Nuclear’.

Agreed: That the Clerk should write to the Head of Outreach conveying the Committee’s comments.

• Memo from the Clerk of the Committee for the Office of the First and deputy First Minister regarding the Equality Commission report.
• Letter from HSENI, to all consultees on their Consultative Document: Proposals for Chemicals (Hazard Information & Packaging for Supply) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009
• Invite from John McFall to an informal meeting in Parliament Buildings on Monday 2 March to discuss the Treasury Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘The Banking Crisis’.
• A copy of a press extract regarding Energy Issues.
• A copy of the NI Audit Office report entitled ‘Review of Assistance to Valence Technology.
• Copy of Quarry Products Association journal ‘Quarry 09’.

10. Any Other Business.

Members noted a briefing paper from the Department regarding the pre-consultation scoping exercise on the Strategic Energy Framework. Members noted that they are due to receive an oral briefing from officials on 12 March.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 5 March at 10.30 a.m. in Northwest Marketing, Skeoge Industrial Estate, Derry/Londonderry.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.53 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

February 2009