Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 10.01 am in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 2 June 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on the 2 June were agreed.

3. Chairperson’s Business

Members noted a press release announcing the appointment of an envoy from each EU member state as an advocate for the interests of SMEs.

Agreed: To write to the UK envoy, Mr Adam Jackson, to invite him to brief the Committee after the summer recess.

Members noted a letter from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) requesting an informal meeting with the Chair.

Members noted a letter from the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) requesting a meeting with the Committee.

Agreed: To receive a written briefing from the CEF in the first instance.

Members noted a letter from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) regarding a conference on 28 June 2011.

Members noted an invitation to a project launch of the Youth Safety Network.

Members discussed the Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: To consider the Forward Work Programme for September-December 2011 at the meeting of 23 June.

Members noted a request from the Consumer Council for a meeting with the Chair and Deputy Chair.

4. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Systems Operator Northern Ireland (SONI) and Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO)

SONI officials joined the meeting at 10.07am.

Daithí McKay joined the meeting at 10.10am.

Members received an oral briefing from Robin McCormack, General Manager, SEMO. Key issues discussed included role of SONI, IME3 Regulations, impending infrastructure deficits and the single electricity market (SEM).

Dr Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.46am.

Agreed: To receive an update from the Department on IME3 and its views on the issue, in particular the Department’s view on the preferred unbundling model.

Agreed: To raise the issue with the Utility Regulator at next week’s meeting.

SONI officials left the meeting at 11.53am.

6. Role of Assembly Research

Assembly Research officials joined the meeting at 11.54am.

Members received an oral briefing from Assembly Research. Key issue discussed included the role of the Research and Information Service (RaiSE).

Agreed: To commission research into Research and Development (R&D) activity in Northern Ireland and the level of R&D in NI within a UK/European/global context.

Assembly Research officials left the meeting at 12.06 pm.

7. Corporation Tax

The Assembly Research Officer joined the meeting at 12.07pm.

Members received an oral briefing from Assembly Research regarding corporation tax. Key issues discussed included EU rules (Azores criteria), financial implications (cost) and whether lowering the corporation tax would increase FDI.

The Assembly Research Officer left the meeting at 12.34pm.

Agreed: Content with the joint motion with the Committee for Finance and Personnel for a plenary debate on Tuesday 28 June.

Agreed: To consider a draft response to the Treasury’s consultation document at next week’s meeting.

8. Correspondence

 Members noted the following items of correspondence:

I. Letter from the Committee for OFMDFM on the Review of Arm’s Length Bodies.

Agreed: To forward to the Department for comment.

II. Response from DETI on InterTradeIreland’s procurement app for mobile phones .

9. Any other business

There were no other items of business.

10. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 16 June at 10.30am, Parliament Buildings, Room 30.

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 12.37pm.

Mr Alban Maginness
Chair
Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
16 June 2011