Committee for the Economy

Minutes of Proceedings

15^th September 2021

 

Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Dr Caoímhe Archibald (MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Keith Buchanan MLA

Mr Stephen Dunne MLA

Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA

Mr John O’Dowd MLA

Mr Peter Weir MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Stewart Dickson MLA

Ms Claire Sugden MLA

Apologies: None

In Attendance:

Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk

Mr Thomas Manning (Clerical Officer)

In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:

Ms Sinead Kelly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Ms Jean Barkley (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 10:08am in open session.

1. Apologies

As noted above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

The Chairperson informed Members of a Clerk’s memo on the Informal meeting held with the Aerospace industry on 8^th July 2021.

The Chairperson informed Members of an infographic outlining the remit of the Smart Nano Manufacturing Corridor Consortium.

The Chairperson informed Members that the Committee was due to hold a joint briefing with the Education Committee on the 14-19 Strategy earlier in the year which was postponed. A new date for the joint briefing is proposed for 20^th October.

Agreed: that the Clerk make arrangements for the Joint Briefing to take place on 20^th October.

3. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes from 25^th August 2021.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Record of Decision from 25^th August 2021.

4. Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill - Briefing from RaISe

The officials joined the meeting at 10:11am Members received a briefing from:

• Mr Michael Scholes, Research Officer, NIA
• Ms Rachel Keyes,  Research Officer, NIA
• Ms Orla Drummond, Research Officer, NIA

Key issues discussed included the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill, the new leave and pay arrangements provided within the Bill, and the comparison with countries who have similar legislation.

The officials left the meeting at 11:47pm

5. Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill - Briefing from the Coalition of Bereaved Workers

The witnesses joined the meeting at 11:11am Members received a briefing from:

• Mr. Craig Harrison,  Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Marie Curie
• Mr. Marek Zemanik, Senior Public Policy Advisor, CIPD
• Ms. Bernadine McCrory, Country Director, Alzheimer’s Society NI

Key issues discussed included the role of the Collation of Bereaved Workers, their support for the Bill and their call for further protections for all bereaved workers and employees.

The witnesses left the meeting at 11:25am

6. Matters Arising

Noted: Members noted a copy of correspondence from the Economy Minister to CCEA outlining key decisions with regard to the delivery, assessment and award of vocational qualifications for the 2021-22 academic year.

Noted: Members noted a Departmental response to the Committee’s queries regarding Peace 4 funding for Include Youth.

Agreed: to forward this response to Include Youth and to ask to be kept informed of the progress of discussions with FE.

Noted: Members noted a Departmental response regarding changes to the MaSN cap.

Noted: Members noted a Departmental response regarding the SL1 – The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Relevant Period in Schedule 8) (No.2) Regulations (NI) 2021.

Noted: Members noted a departmental briefing paper on how the Department is implementing the review of financial process.

Noted: Members noted a Departmental briefing paper on the final outturn 2020-21.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from the DALO regarding Free Trade Agreements.

Noted: Members noted a copy of a Welsh Legislative Consent Memorandum under the Minister for Education in Wales regarding the Professional Qualifications Bill.

Noted: Members noted a response from the Competition and Markets Authority regarding shipping costs for businesses importing into Northern Ireland.

7. Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill

Members considered a number of papers in relation to the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.

Agreed: for the Committee proceed with oral evidence sessions as discussed.

Agreed: for the Clerk to seek the views from groups representing fathers who have lost a child.

8. SL1 - The High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Members considered the SL1 - The High Street (Coronavirus, Financial Assistance) Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.

The Committee had previously noted the SL1 and did not seek to change this action. Mr Weir, Mr Dunne and Mr Buchanan indicated their support for the SL1.

Agreed: to write to the Department regarding a number of issues.

Agreed: to seek the views of the local chambers on the High Street Support Scheme.

9. SL1 - The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Schedule 11) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2021)

Members considered the SL1 - The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Amendment of Schedule 11) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2021).

Agreed: Members indicated that they are content with the policy implications of the proposed legislation.

10. SL1 - The Education (Student Fees (Amount), Loan repayment & Support (etc) (Amendment) Regs (NI) 2021 (Considered on 25/8 with further queries)

Members considered the SL1 - The Education (Student Fees (Amount), Loan repayment & Support (etc) (Amendment) Regs (NI) 2021 (Considered on 25/8 with further queries).

Agreed: Members indicated that they are content with the policy implications of the proposed legislation.

11. SL1 - Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021

Members considered SL1 - Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021.

Noted: Members noted the SL1.

Agreed: Members agreed to seek more detail.

12. LCM - Higher Education (HE) Cheating Services Prohibition Bill

Members discussed the LCM Higher Education (HE) Cheating Prohibition Bill.

Agreed: to seek the views of the FE Sector on the Bill.

Agreed: to ask the Department for an update on any responses from other ministers, the Scottish and Welsh positions.

13. Correspondence

Noted: Members noted a copy of the NI Screen Business Plan 2021-22.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Infrastructure regarding the shortage of HGV drivers.

Agreed: to seek an update from the Department on the issue.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from the AERA Committee to the Ministers for AERA and the Economy, regarding a crisis in the local pork sector.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from the EU Affairs Manager regarding the Inter-ministerial Group for Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from NI Women’s Budget Group regarding the Skills Strategy and requesting a meeting with the Committee.

Agreed: to arrange an informal meeting.

Noted: Members noted correspondence from Pivotal highlighting policy priorities for the North.

Noted: Members noted letters from Lord Jay of Ewelme, Chair of the Protocol on Ireland/NI Sub-Committee with regards to Cosmetic products, labelling and packaging of substances and harmonised standards for toys.

Noted: Members noted a copy of the ISNI Assembly Committee Report.

Noted: Members noted the first report of the examiner of statutory rules 2021- 22.