2nd Febuary 2022
202202202 Draft Minutes.pdf (209.87 kb)
Committee for the Economy
Minutes of Proceedings
2nd February 2022
Meeting Location: Room 30
In Attendance:
Dr Caoímhe Archibald (MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Matthew O’Toole MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Ms Claire Sugden MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA
Apologies:
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Peter Hall (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Thomas Armstrong (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Aaron Pakenham (Clerical Officer)
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Ms Sinead Kelly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
The meeting commenced at 10:06am in open session.
1. Apologies
As noted above. Mr Buchanan notified the Clerk that Mr Weir held his proxy vote, should this be required.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes from 26th January 2022.
3. Chairperson’s Business
Agreed: Members noted the notes of the informal meeting with ANITA and correspondence from Thompson Travel International on travel agent’s concerns and agreed to write to the Department and the Executive Office Committee in support of their position.
Noted: Members noted that John O’Dowd MLA does not intend to seek the scheduling of a Consideration Stage for the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill.
4. Departmental Briefing – Common Frameworks
Members received a briefing from:
Colin Jack Director, Business & Employment Regulation, DfE
Alan Scott International & Economic Relations, DfE
The witness left the meeting at 10.52pm
Agreed: Members agreed to write to a number of stakeholders to seek their views in relation to the Common Frameworks.
5. Matters Arising
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the proposed remedy payments for the High Street Scheme and agreed to write to the Equality Commission and the Older People’s Commissioner for their views on how the scheme was administered; and to ask the Department for information on how the scheme is being evaluated and the data collected.
Noted: Members noted a response from the Department regarding the Disability Specialist Support contract within the old Training for Success contract.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the DALO regarding the revocation of the Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) Order (Northern Ireland) 2021 and the introduction of Insolvency Practitioners (Recognised Professional Bodies) (Revocation of Recognition) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Noted: Members noted the Marshalled list of amendments for the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from NIUSE regarding concerns about the future of employment provision for disabled people.
Noted Members noted correspondence from the Minister regarding the Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Noted: Member noted an invitation to attend a webinar hosted by Departmental officials in which they will set out the process for administering the remedy payments for the HSS Scheme.
Agreed: Members noted a response from the DALO of the Department of Finance regarding H&A Mechanical Services Ltd and agreed to forward to H&A Mechanical.
Noted: Members noted the Hansard for Committee deliberations on the Small-Scale Green Energy Bill from 26th January 2022.
6. Independent Review of Invest NI
Members noted correspondence from Sir Michael Lyons and the Minister regarding the Independent Review of Invest NI as well as the terms of reference for the review.
Agreed: To respond to Sir Michael Lyons regarding engagement with the Committee on the review and the appointment of the panel.
Agreed: To write to the Department regarding the timing of the review and appointment of the panel.
7. Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill
The Committee considered the draft report on the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) 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, with the addition of reference to the response received from the Department on the Bill.
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,with the addition of reference to the response received from the Department on the Bill.
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, with the addition of the Department’s response to the Bill.
8. Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill
Members considered the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours)and a motion to extend the Committee Stage.
Question put and agreed on the motion:
“That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 25th March 2022, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) (NIA Bill 46/17-22)”.
Agreed: Members agreed a provisional timetable for the Bill.
Agreed: Members agreed the public notice to be published in the local media.
Agreed: Members agreed the survey questions for the public consultation on the Bill.
Agreed: Members agreed the list of key stakeholders for seeking written submissions and agreed a number of additions.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to seek the views of the Department on the Bill.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Examiner of Statutory Rules in relation to the delegated powers within in the Bill.
9. Correspondence
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Department to the Committee for Education regarding the Period Products (Free Provision) Bill.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Executive Office regarding the announcement of launch for the Public Consultation on the Draft Investment Strategy for NI.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Chair of the Protocol Sub-Committee to BEIS regarding Cosmetic Products.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Chair of the Protocol Sub-Committee to the Minister for Trade Policy regarding a generalised scheme of tariff preferences.
Noted: Members noted Correspondence from an individual regarding exclusion from the rollout of Fibrus broadband to the rural community.
Agreed: Members noted the Draft Regulations - The Domestic Abuse Information-sharing with Schools etc. Regulations (NI) 2022 and correspondence from DALO regarding the SL1 and agreed to seek clarity from the Department on whether pilots include FE Colleges and private providers.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Justice regarding the SL1 – The Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2022 and agreed to write to the Justice Committee indicating they have no objection to the Rule.
Agreed: Members noted a response from Conor Burns MP, Minister of State at the NIO, to the Committee regarding the issues faced by the three airports in the North, and acknowledging Members’ concerns and agreed to forward to the CEOs of the local airports.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Minister for Trade Policy, Penny Mordaunt MP, to the Chair of the Protocol Sub-Committee regarding a generalised scheme of tariff preferences.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from BEIS to the Chair of the Protocol-Sub Committee regarding cosmetic products.
Noted: Members noted the Investment Strategy NI Delivery Tracking System – Investing Activity Report.
Noted: Members noted the Examiner of Statutory Rules - Eleventh Report of Session 2021 – 2022.
Members agreed to move to Agenda Item 12
12. Consultation - Relief for Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) from the Indirect Costs of NIRO
Members noted the Consultation on Relief for Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) from the Indirect Costs of NIRO.
10. Any Other Business
Agreed: Members discussed rising energy costs and agreed to schedule a briefing with the Utility Regulator before the end of the mandate.
11. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Wednesday 9th February 2022 in Room 29, Parliament Buildings at 10am.
The meeting was adjourned at 12.12pm.
Dr Caoímhe Archibald MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy
9th February 2022
