Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2008/2009
Date: 27 November 2008
COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Robin Newton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Paul Butler
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Jim Wells
The meeting opened at 10.36 a.m. in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the chair.
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Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
There were no new interests declared.
The meeting was suspended at 10.44 a.m.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.48 a.m. and took the Chair.
The meeting resumed at 10.49 a.m.
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Minutes of meeting held on 20 November 2008.
Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 20 November 2008 were agreed.
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Matters Arising.
Members noted a response from the Minister regarding the pension position of former LEDU employees.
Members noted a media release on the Utility Regulator’s planned review of electricity prices. Members also received an update on the current review of gas prices.
Agreed: That the Chairperson would write to the Utility Regulator urging early publication of Douglas McIldoon’s report.
Members noted a response from the Minister regarding the Titanic Signature Project.
Simon Hamilton & Robin Newton left the meeting at 11.02 a.m.
The meeting was suspended at 11.02 a.m.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting 11.26 a.m.
The meeting resumed at 11.27 a.m.
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Briefing from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions.
The Chairperson updated members on the Treasury announcement that it will be conducting a review of the regulation of credit unions.
Officials from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions joined the meeting at 11.28 a.m.
Ulster Federation of Credit Union officials Tommy Jeffers, Development and Share Officer, John Junkin, Board Member and Gladys Copeland, coordinator briefed the Committee on issues raised during the Inquiry into credit unions. Key issues discussed included the possible options for future regulation.
Officials from the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions left the meeting at 12.06 p.m.
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Briefing from the Irish League of Credit Unions
Officials from the Irish League of Credit Unions joined the meeting at 12.07 p.m.
Simon Hamilton rejoined the meeting at 12.10 p.m.
Irish League of Credit Union officials Uel Adair, President, Kieron Brennan, Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Helferty, Director and Fiona Cullen, Head of Legal & Secretariat briefed the Committee on issues raised during the Inquiry into credit unions. Key issues discussed included the possible options for future regulation.
Robin Newton rejoined the meeting at 12.36 p.m.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 1.04 p.m.
Officials from the Irish League of Credit Unions left the meeting at 1.07 p.m.
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Bioenergy Strategy
Members noted a written briefing from the Department regarding a report on the assessment of the potential for Bioenergy development in Northern Ireland.
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Forward Work Programme
Members noted an updated version of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: That the next meeting of the Committee on 4 December will begin at 10.00a.m.
Agreed: That the Committee will hold an additional (closed) meeting on Tuesday 16 December at 10.30 a.m.
Agreed: That oral briefing on Matrix should be arranged for 11 December.
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Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence:
- Ministerial Statement on the Counter Terrorism Bill (CTB) - 24 Nov 2008.
- Letter from Paul Myners to Minister Foster re CTB - 12 November 2008.
- Letter from Minister Foster to Lord Myners re CTB - 21 November 2008.
- Letter from Minister Foster to the Chair re CTB - 21 November 2008.
- Email from the NI Oil Federation to the Chair regarding the Consumer Council’s Heating Oil Claims - 12 November 2008.
- Press statement from the CBI re Home Heating Oil - November 2008.
- Letter to Steve Costello, Consumer Council from Ken Hylands, Chairman Northern Ireland Oil Federation re Home Heating Oil -12 November 2008.
- Letter from Ian Moore, (Director of the Oil Market Journal) to Eleanor Gill, Consumer Council Home Heating Oil - 24 November 2008.
- Letter from Minister: Implementation of the First Report of ‘Matrix: The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel’.
- Utility Regulator Resource Accounts for year ending 31 March 2008.
- Weights & Measures Report for year ending 31 March 2008.
- Letter from the Chair of the Committee for the Office of the First & deputy First Minister regarding the downturn on employment in the construction industry.
Agreed: To pass the l etter from the Chair of the Committee for the Office of the First & deputy First Minister to the Minister.
- Copy of the Chancellors Pre-Budget report.
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Any Other Business.
There were no other items of business.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 4 December at 10.00 a.m. in the Headquarters of InterTradeIreland, Newry.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.15 p.m.
