Minutes of Proceedings

COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 5 MARCH 2009
NORTHWEST MARKETING DERRY/LONDONDERRY

Present: Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler 
Mr Simon Hamilton 
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)
Mr Leslie Cree
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland 
Mr Sean Neeson

The meeting opened at 10.50a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies.

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 26 February 2009.

Agreed : The draft minutes of the meeting on 26 February 2009 were agreed.

3. Matters Arising.

Members noted a paper from the Department containing answers to questions raised by members regarding the proposed SL1 on Employers Liability Compulsory Amendment Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009.

Agreed: That the Committee were content and had no comment.

Members noted a recent press release covering last week’s presentation to the Committee by the Institute of Directors.

Members noted a leaflet provided by the Irish League of Credit Unions.

4. Economic Downturn – Briefing by Enterprise NI & Small Business Representatives.

Representatives joined the meeting at 11.00 a.m.

Enterprise NI representative Ken Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, Larne Development Co Ltd, provided members with a presentation on the work and role of Enterprise NI. The Committee then heard presentations from small business representatives: Eamon Scullen, Fern Software; Eddie Boyle, ABC Fire Protection; and Joe Gallagher, Joe Gallagher Entertainments. They provided members with an insight of their experiences in dealing with Government agencies and provided suggestions as to measures which might be introduced to mitigate the impact of the economic downturn on small businesses.

A question and answer session followed and the Committee were joined by John McGowan, Chief Executive, Northwest Marketing; Seamus O’Prey, Ortus; and Gordon Gough, Chief Executive Enterprise NI.

Agreed: That the Committee would share information on 10 day payment targets with Enterprise NI.

Representatives left the meeting at 12.50 p.m.

5. Post Project Evaluations

Members noted the content of papers supplied by the Clerk and the Department concerning post project evaluations.

Agreed: That members would choose which projects to further examine at next week’s meeting.

6. Correspondence

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

• Copy of a letter from the Minister to Michael McGimpsey regarding the Health Bill Legislative Consent Motion.

• Invitation to members to attend a conference in Dundalk on 14 May to discuss ‘Developing Dublin – Belfast City Region Economy.

• Copy of a letter from Peter Luff, Chair of the Westminster Business & Enterprise Committee to Lord Mandelson regarding the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.
• Invitation from the Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust to the Chair or nominated representative, to attend annual conference at the Ramada Hotel on 26 March.

Agreed: To consider this further at next week’s meeting.

• A copy of a press extract regarding proposals to store wind energy underground in East Antrim.

• A copy of a recent press extract regarding the Barnett Review of Economic Policy.

7. Any Other Business.

Members discussed ways in which they might consolidate the evidence heard to date from groups and organisations on the current economic downturn.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 12 March at 10.30 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.05 p.m.

Mark Durkan
Chairperson
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment

March 2009