2021-11-10 Draft Minutes.pdf (508.08 kb)
Committee for the Economy
Minutes of Proceedings
10th November 2021
Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Dr Caoímhe Archibald (MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Matthew O’Toole MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Mr Peter Weir MLA
Apologies:
Ms Claire Sugden MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Ms Sinead Kelly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
The meeting commenced at 10:03am in open session.
1. Apologies
As noted above.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes from 3rd November 2021 and 8th November 2021.
3. Chairperson’s Business
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department providing further clarification in relation to the potential cost of the Committee amendments to the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill and agreed to include it as part of the Committee’s Bill Report.
Noted: Members noted an invitation from Enterprise NI to the ‘Enterprise Symposium’ on Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Friday 19th November at the Titanic Hotel.
4. Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay Bill) -
Clause by Clause Committee Report on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill
The Committee considered the draft report on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.
Executive Summary
The Committee considered the Executive Summary as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Executive Summary as drafted.
The Committee considered the Introduction and Committee Approach as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Introduction and Committee Approach as drafted.
The Committee considered the Consideration of the Bill as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Consideration of the Bill as drafted.
The Committee considered the Other Issues Raised in the Consideration of the Bill as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Other Issues Raised in the Consideration of the Bill as drafted.
The Committee considered the Clause by Clause Scrutiny of the Bill as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Clause by Clause Scrutiny of the Bill as drafted.
The Committee considered the List of Appendices as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the List of Appendices as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that a recommendation should be added at the appropriate section in the Bill Report that the Department considers, as part of a wider review of employment law, how workers such as sub-contractors and those on zero-hour contracts can be guaranteed the same protections under this Bill as that afforded to employees.
5. Small-Scale Green Energy Bill
Noted: Members noted that they will receive a briefing from RaISE at next week’s meeting and will also hear from Power NI on the Bill.
6. Matters Arising
Agreed: Members considered a response from the Finance Minister to the Committee’s letter regarding its meeting with Ballantine Business Solutions and agreed to forward this response to Ballantine Business Solutions.
Noted: Members noted a response from the Minister following the Committee’s informal meeting with the local airports and the issues faced by the industry.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Minister in relation to the High Street Stimulus Scheme outlining advice in relation to the verification process to help Members in providing advice to constituents.
Agreed: Members noted a response from the Department to the Committee’s query regarding grants available in Scotland to improve ventilation in high risk settings and agreed to write to the Committee for the Executive Office asking for clarity in relation to a timeline.
Agreed: Members noted a response from the Department to the Committee’s queries regarding the High Street Stimulus Scheme and agreed to write to the Department for a further breakdown of costs.
7. Departmental Written Briefing: Project Stratum
Members considered a written briefing paper from the Department providing an update in relation to Project Stratum.
Agreed: to write to the Department for further clarification in relation to the full-scope of the project and customer satisfaction data.
8. Correspondence
Noted: Members noted a copy of a statement by the DAERA Minister regarding the Environment Strategy.
Noted: Members noted a copy of correspondence from the Committee for Finance to the DALO an update on the financial assistance scheme and in respect of any current covid support schemes available to travel agents.
Noted: Members noted a copy of the BEIS Biomass Policy Statement.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Renewable Heat Association regarding sustainable and renewable energy as the antidote to climate change.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from an individual questioning the merits of the High Street Stimulus Scheme.
Noted: Members noted the Firth Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
9. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Wednesday 17th November 2021 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings at 10am.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.40am.
Dr Caoímhe Archibald MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy
17th November 2021
