Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 10.05am in public session.

The Clerk called for nominations for the position of a temporary Chairperson. MrAlban Maginness proposed that: Mr Robin Newton be temporary Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Steven Agnew seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

On there being no further nominations the Clerk put the question without debate.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Mr Newton, being the only candidate proposed, be temporary Chairperson of the Committee.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted the invitation to the Chairperson from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Members noted the invitation to the Chairperson to the launch of the North West Regional Science Park.

Agreed: Maeve McLaughlin to attend on behalf of the Committee.

Members noted an invitation from the Department to the launch of the Stakeholder engagement on the Financial Capability Strategy.

Agreed: Members to inform the Committee Office if attending.

Members noted a letter from the Department and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development announcing a SBRI competition for sustainable utilisation of poultry litter.

Members noted the briefing by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on Small Business Research Initiative.

Agreed: to be included in papers for 6 December meeting for consideration.

Members noted a response from the Department regarding the regional breakdown of funding under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

Agreed: to await response from banks.

3. Minutes of meeting held on 25 October 2012

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 22 November were agreed.

4. Matters Arising

Members noted the response from Invest NI in relation to jobs created by overseas offices.

Agreed: to receive further information on office running costs and support offered and provided through these offices.

Members noted the letter from the Vice Chancellor of Queen’s University regarding the Committee’s acknowledgement of its recent achievements.

Members noted the time and date for an informal meeting to discuss the impact of Patton Administration on Sub-Contractors.

Agreed: Members to inform the Committee Office if attending.

Members noted the information received from the Department on the North South Ministerial Council’s consideration of mobile phone roaming charges and inadvertent roaming.

Agreed: to ask the Department if the NSMC has any plans for the future consideration of roaming charges and inadvertent roaming.

5. Farm Safety: Oral Briefing from Health and Safety Executive NI (HSENI)

Representatives joined the meeting at 10.19am.

Members received an oral briefing from George Lucas, Chairman, Dermot Breen, Acting Chief Executive, Dr. Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive and Malcolm Downey, Head of Farm Safety Team.

Key issues discussed included: farm safety campaigns, multi-organisational approach, partnership engagement and communication.

Patsy McGlone joined the meeting at `10.21am took the Chair.

Stephen Moutray joined the meeting at 10.28am.

Sue Ramsey joined the meeting at 10.58am.

Representatives left the meeting at 11.24am

Agreed: to forward the Farm Safety Plan for Northern Ireland and Hansard Report to the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Agreed: to make arrangements for visits in the spring to Dunbia in Dungannon and to a farm safety focus farm.

Agreed: to invite members of the Committee for Agricultural and Rural Development to attend.

6. Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR): Oral Briefing from Health and Safety Executive NI (HSENI)

Representatives and Officials joined the meeting at 11.25am.

Sandra Overend left the meeting at 11.25am.

Members received an oral briefing from George Lucas, Chairman, Dermot Breen, Acting Chief Executive, Dr. Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive and Mark Pinkerton, legislation Team. .

Key issues discussed included: Background to the legislation, impact on farming and other sectors.

Paul Frew joined the meeting at 11.42am.

Agreed: HSENI to forward to the Committee the NISRA Labour Force Survey and Continuous Household Survey.

Officials and Representatives left the meeting at 11.49am.

Gordon Dunne left the meeting at 11.49am.

7. Scottish Manufacturing: Assembly Research

Members considered key areas including manufacturing comparisons between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

8. Correspondence

Members noted the following items of correspondence for action

i. Committee for Justice regarding SL1 Insolvency Rules (NI) 2012

Agreed to forward the correspondence to Advice NI

ii. Deputy Chair regarding invitation to CBI-Infrastructure UK breakfast briefing.

Agreed: Assembly Research to attend and report to the Committee

iii. From a member of the public regarding research reforms.

Agreed: the Committee Office to write to the individual.

12. Any other business

Members discussed a press article regarding the contract awarded to Bombardier.

Agreed: to write and congratulation Bombardier Belfast.

Members discussed the Consumer Council Review.

Agreed: the Department to provide further information on the review process.

13. Date, time and place of next meeting 

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 6 December 2012 at 10.00pm, Room 30, Parliament Buildings

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 12.07pm.

Mr Patsy McGlone
Chair, Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
6 December 2012