MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2001 at 10.15AM IN ROOM 144 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr A Attwood
Mrs A Courtney
Mr D McClarty
Dr A McDonnell
Ms J Morrice
Mr J Wells
In attendance: Mrs C White
Mr J Nesbitt
Miss J Presho
Mr D Donaldson
Apologies: Mr P Doherty
Dr D O'Hagan
In attendance for the public session at 10.35am: B9 Energy Services B9 Energy (Biomass) - Mr M Harper & Mr D Surplus
In attendance for the public session at 11.15am: Biogas (Ireland) - Mr W Curry, Mr W Watterson & Dr C Lukehurst
In attendance for the public session at 11.45am: Northern Ireland General Consumer Council - Mrs J Whiteside, Mrs M Bell & Mr W Henderson
In attendance for the public session at 12.20pm: Northern Ireland Consumer Committee for Electricity - Mrs F Huston & Mrs A McMinnis
The meeting opened, in private, at 10.15am
Mr Neeson assumed the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson
1. Chairperson's Business
1.1 The Deputy Chairperson reported the death of Dr O'Hagan's father to other members of the Committee.
Agreed - that the Committee should send Dr O'Hagan a letter of sympathy.
1.2 The Deputy Chairperson reported that Ofreg, which was due to give oral evidence to the Committee today regarding the energy inquiry, had requested that the meeting be rescheduled and that an invitation had been issued for 16 May.
1.3 The Deputy Chairperson reported that the Council for the West Energy Committee, also due to give oral evidence to the Committee today, had cancelled due to the foot and mouth disease.
Agreed - that the Committee Clerk should write seeking a written submission.
1.4 The Deputy Chairperson reminded members of the presentation by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on their new website on 26 April at 10.30am in the Long Gallery.
1.5 The Deputy Chairperson reported on a letter received from the Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions regarding the low levels of fines for breaches of Health and Safety Regulations.
Agreed - that the Committee Clerk should write to the Department asking for their comments.
1.6 Agreed - that the Committee Clerk should investigate the possibility of establishing a sub-Committee.
2. Minutes of the last meetings
Agreed - the minutes of the meetings held on 3 and 4 April.
Agreed - the minutes of 23 April as amended.
Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.30am
3. Public evidence session at 10.35am - B9 Energy Services & B9 Energy (Biomass)
3.1 The witnesses from B9 Energy Services and B9 Energy (Biomass) gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Energy. They gave a brief presentation and answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
4. Public evidence session at 11.15am - Biogas (Ireland)
4.1 The witnesses from Biogas (Ireland) gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Energy. They gave a brief presentation and answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Ms Morrice joined the meeting at 11.25am
5. Public evidence session at 11.45am - Northern Ireland General Consumer Council
5.1 The witnesses from the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Energy. They gave a brief presentation and answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Mr Wells left the meeting at 12.15pm
6. Public evidence session at 12.20am - Northern Ireland Consumer Committee for Electricity
6.1 The witnesses from the Northern Ireland Consumer Committee for Electricity gave evidence, in public, to the Committee on its inquiry into Energy. They gave a brief presentation and answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Ms Morrice left the meeting at 12.40pm
The meeting went into private session at 12.50pm
7. Committee business
7.1 A copy of the Terms of Reference relating to the Regional Development Committee's inquiry into the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' Titanic Quarter Leases was circulated to members.
Agreed - to write to the Regional Development Committee expressing the Committee's interest in this inquiry and requesting to be kept informed.
7.2 Product Liability Bill - the Deputy Chairperson reported that correspondence had been received from the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding this proposed bill. Copies were circulated to members.
Agreed - to write to the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee advising that the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee agreed that it should not take responsibility for the Committee stage of this Bill.
7.3 Ofreg Social Action Plan - copies were circulated to members.
Agreed - to issue a holding letter to Ofreg.
7.4 The Committee Clerk reported that the Chairperson had received an invitation to attend a consultation seminar being organised by National Energy Action (NI) on 10 May 2001.
Agreed - that an Assembly Researcher should be asked to attend the consultation seminar and report back to the Committee.
7.5 The Committee Clerk reported that an e-mail had been received from Felicity Huston, NICCE recommending that the Committee meet the Western Regional Energy Action and Network (WREAN) as part of its inquiry into energy.
Agreed - to write to WREAN and invite them to submit written evidence on the energy inquiry.
7.6 The Committee Clerk reported that she had received a letter from the Economic Policy Unit, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister regarding the current review of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and the provision of independent economic advice and research.
Agreed - to defer this item until the next meeting of the Committee.
7.7 Presentation on the Social Economy - the Committee Clerk reported that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is organising a presentation for members of the four relevant Committees on the draft social economy report, to be held on 15 May at 12.45pm in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.
7.8 Visit to IDA and Enterprise Ireland -
Agreed - to defer this item until the next meeting of the Committee.
8. Electricity and Gas Consumer Representation Arrangements
8.1 The Committee deliberated and agreed its response to the Minister on this issue.
9. Any other business
9.1 Members expressed an interest in the possibility of a Committee visit in relation to the inquiry into Energy.
Agreed - to discuss the issue further at the next meeting.
10. Date of Next Meeting
10.1 The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 2 May at 10.00am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting closed at 1.25pm
Mr S Neeson
(Deputy Chairperson)
