TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2000 AT 11.15AM IN THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr P Doherty (Chairperson) Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)   Mr A Attwood   Mr W Clyde   Ms P Lewsley   Mr D McClarty   Dr A McDonnell   Ms J Morrice   Dr D O'Hagan

In attendance: Mrs C White Mr J Nesbitt Miss J Presho

In attendance for public evidence session at 11.30am: Mr John Cullinane, President of the Cullinane Group, Inc.; Mr F Costello

Also in attendance: Mr B Hutchinson

The meeting opened, in public at 11.15am

1. Chairperson's business

1.1 The Chairperson reported on two meetings he and the Deputy Chairperson had - with the Ulster Bank, and with the Irish Bank Officials' Association; the meetings related to the current restructuring process in the Ulster Bank. The Chairperson advised that arbitration was due to be heard on 20 December.

Agreed - that the Committee should write to both organisations and then await the outcome of the arbitration proceedings before taking any further action.

1.2 Response from Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry on the issues raised by the NI Bakery Council -

Agreed - that a copy of the Secretary of State's letter should be sent to the NI Bakery Council.

1.3 Follow up on the presentation by the Campaign to save Fermanagh Creameries at the meeting of 6 December -

Agreed - that an invitation should be extended to Dairy Crest to meet the Committee.

2. Minutes of the last three meetings

2.1 The minutes of the meetings of 4, 5, and 6 December were agreed.

Mr Attwood joined the meeting at 11.30am   Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 11.45pm

3. Presentation by Mr John Cullinane

3.1 Mr Cullinane gave an extremely interesting and informative presentation. He covered the global economy, current trends in the economy, and where he saw Northern Ireland's role and potential. Mr Cullinane answered a number of questions put to him by the members.

The meeting closed at 12.30pm

Mr P Doherty (Chairperson)