WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2002 AT 10.46 AM IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Mr S Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)   Mr B Armstrong Mr W Clyde   Dr A McDonnell   Mr E McMenamin   Ms J Morrice   Dr D O'Hagan   Mr J Wells

Apologies:   Mr P Doherty MP MLA (Chairperson)   Mrs A Courtney   Mr D McClarty

In attendance: Mrs C White (Committee Clerk) Mr M Anderson (Assistant Committee Clerk) Mr R Anderson (Clerical Supervisor)   Miss A Fowler (Clerical Officer)   Dr P Gilleece (Assembly Research)

In attendance for the public evidence session at 11.12 am:   Mr Bruce Robinson, Mr Greg McConnell, Mr Mark Pinkerton (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI)).

The meeting opened in private at 10.46am.   Mr Neeson assumed the Chair in the absence of the Chairperson.

1 OFREG Consultation Paper on Northern Ireland Electricity's Transmission System Operator Business    

1.1. The Committee discussed the consultation paper.     1.2. Agreed - to issue a response.

Mr Armstrong joined the meeting at 10.55am. Mr Wells joined the meeting at 10.55am.      

2 OFREG Consultation Paper on Northern Ireland Electricity's Power Procurement Business    

2.1. The Committee discussed the consultation paper.     2.2. Agreed - to issue a response.

The meeting went into public session at 11.11am.

3 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Draft Corporate Plan    

Agreed - to publish the minutes of evidence on the internet.

Mr Clyde joined the meeting at 11.14am.    

3.1. Departmental Officials gave a presentation on the draft Corporate Plan and answered questions raised by Members.

Mr Clyde left the meeting at 11.46am.     Ms Morrice left the meeting at 11.48am.     Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 12.10pm.    

Agreed - to issue a response to the Department.   

4 INI Draft Corporate Plan    

4.1. The Committee considered the draft Corporate Plan.

Agreed - to issue a response.    

5 Minutes of Previous Meeting    

Agreed - the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 March 2002.   

6 Matters Arising    

6.1. The Committee considered the proposals from the Office of the Keeper to improve public access and facilities within Committee rooms.

Agreed - to issue a response.

Mr Clyde rejoined the meeting at 12.30pm    

6.2. Meeting with Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone on Fuel Poverty.

Agreed - to hold a Committee meeting with Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone on Tuesday 23 April.   

7 Statutory Rule SR2002 No. 34 - Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002    

Agreed - to approve the Rule as laid.

Dr McDonnell rejoined the meeting at 12.32pm.    

The meeting went into private session at 12.32pm.   

8 Tourism Inquiry   

8.1. The Committee considered a paper from Assembly Research regarding written applications for the Specialist Adviser post and agreed that letters should be issued to candidates.

8.2. The Committee deliberated on various options presented by the Committee Office with regard to taking oral evidence from witnesses.

Mr McMenamin left the meeting at 1.00pm.    

The meeting went into public session at 1.00pm.   

9 Any other business    

9.1. The Committee for Finance and Personnel Inquiry into European Structural Funds and Community Initiatives.

Agreed - to ask the Committee for Finance and Personnel to keep the Committee updated on the progress of its Inquiry.

9.2. Lunch with Baroness Symonds, Minister of State for International Trade and Investment, local exporters and inward investors on Friday 19 April.

Agreed - that Members will inform the Committee Clerk if attending the lunch.

9.3. Request for information on Insurance Premiums.

Agreed - to defer the matter until after the Easter Recess.

9.4. Letter from J A Graham Renewable Energy Services regarding the cost of off-shore wind generation.

Agreed - to note the letter and send a copy of the Committee's Energy Inquiry Report to J A Graham Renewable Energy Services.

9.5. Letter from Northern Ireland Electricity offering to give a presentation on the Energy Efficiency Levy.

Agreed - to hear a presentation from Northern Ireland Electricity after Easter Recess.

9.6. Response from the Minister on a Banking Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.

Agreed - to defer the matter until after Easter Recess.

9.7. InterTradeIreland's Equity Network Private Equity Conference on Wednesday 24 April.

Agreed - to invite the Assembly Researcher to attend the conference and defer the matter until after Easter Recess to see if any Members can attend.

9.8 Members were reminded of the Committee visit to the Moyle Interconnector and meeting with Moyle District Councillors at the Giant's Causeway Visitor's Centre site on 10 April.   

10 Date of next meeting    

10.1. The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 17 April at 10.30am in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting closed at 1.15pm.

Mr Seán Neeson   Deputy Chairperson