9th February 2022
20220209 Draft Minutes.pdf (150.74 kb)
Committee for the Economy
Minutes of Proceedings
9th February 2022
Meeting Location: Room 29
In Attendance:
Dr Caoímhe Archibald (MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA
Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mr Stephen Dunne MLA
Mr Peter Weir MLA
Mr Keith Buchanan MLA
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Ms Claire Sugden MLA
Apologies:
Mr Matthew O’Toole
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 10:05am in open session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Minutes from 2nd February 2022.
3. Chairperson’s Business
Members discussed concerns around the time available for scrutiny of the two Bills currently at Committee Stage.
Agreed: Members discussed the Onshore Fracking (Prohibition) Bill which passed its 2nd stage on 8th February 2022 and has been referred to the Committee and agreed to invite the Bill sponsor to provide a briefing.
Agreed: Members noted correspondence from the Department in relation to the granting of two prospecting licences and agreed to write to the Department for further clarification on a number of issues.
4. Departmental Briefing – Common Frameworks
Members received a briefing from:
- Glyn Roberts Chief Executive, Retail NI
- Joel Neill Operations Director, Hospitality Ulster
Issues discussed included initiatives by both bodies to promote and protect workers’ rights; the prevalence of zero hour contracts; the use of exclusivity clauses; the impact of the Covid pandemic on employment law and practice; challenges faced by both the hospitality and retail sectors; and the time available for scrutiny of this Bill.
The witness left the meeting at 11.18am
5. Matters Arising
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Chair of Invest NI regarding the recruitment of a new CEO.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from the Managing Director of City of Derry Airport regarding airport issues.
Noted: Members noted the Spring Supplementary Updates Memorandum 2021-22.
Noted: Members noted correspondence from Linsey Gibson, UUP Spokesperson for West Belfast regarding ESF funding for Job Assist Centres Greater Shankill.
6. Levelling Up
Members noted a number of the Levelling Up documents published by the UK Government including the specifics relating to Northern Ireland and the City and Growth deals.
Agreed: Members agreed to write to the Department of Finance and the Finance Committee to seek clarification in relation to the specific funding for Northern Ireland.
7. Correspondence
Members agreed to deal with Agenda item 7 via correspondence due to time constraints.
8. Any Other Business
There were no items of business.
9. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Wednesday 16th February 2022 in Room 30, Parliament Buildings at 10am.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.58am.
Dr Caoímhe Archibald MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy
16th February 2022
