Monday 31 July 2000 at 11.30am in Room 152 Parliament Buildings

Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson) Mr A Attwood Mr W Clyde Mr D Shipley Dalton Ms P Lewsley Dr A McDonnell Ms J Morrice

In attendance: Mrs C White, Mr J Nesbitt,   Miss M Higgins, Miss J Presho

In attendance for public evidence session at 11.45am: Mr John Simpson

In attendance for public evidence session at 12.50pm: Federation of Small Businesses - Mr B Jeffrey, Mr D Shaw, and Ms M Lestas

The meeting opened, in private, at 11.36am

1. Chairperson's business

There was no Chairperson's business.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Dr D O'Hagan, Mr D McClarty and Mr S Neeson. The Chairperson reported that Mr G Campbell had resigned from the Committee with effect from 27 July.

3. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

4. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 11.40am

5. Public evidence session - Mr J Simpson at 11.45am

Mr Simpson gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Strategy 2010.

Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 12.02pm

6. Public evidence session - Federation of Small Businesses at 12.50pm

Mr Jeffrey, Mr Shaw, and Ms Lestas gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Strategy 2010.

7. Any other business

i. New TSN - draft DETI Action Plan.

Agreed - that the Committee's draft response to the Department's New TSN draft Action Plan should be issued.

ii. Special Advisor - a progress report from the Assembly's Research office was circulated. It was agreed to discuss this matter further at the next meeting of the Committee.

8. Date of next meeting   

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 2 August at 11.00am in Room 152.

The meeting closed at 1.35pm

Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)