COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL & COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS FIFTY FIRST MEETING MONDAY 23 APRIL 2001 COMMITTEE ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present: Committee for Finance and Personnel Mr Francie Molloy (Chairperson)   Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairperson)   Mr Billy Bell   Mr Seamus Close   Mr Derek Hussey   Mr Alex Maskey   Mr Peter Robinson   Mr Alex Attwood   Mr Nigel Dodds

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Mr Pat Doherty (Chairperson)   Mr Sean Neeson (Deputy Chairperson)   Mr Wilson Clyde   Mr David McClarty   Dr Alastair McDonnell   Dr Dara O'Hagan   Mr Duncan Shipley-Dalton   Mr Jim Wells

Apologies: Ms Jane Morrice

In attendance: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk, Finance Comm.)   Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)   Ms Cathie White (Clerk, ETI Comm.)   Mr John Nesbitt (Assistant Clerk, ET&I)   Ms Judith Presho (Executive Support ET&I)

The Chairman declared the meeting open at 12.35 p.m. This was a joint meeting of the Finance and ETI Committees. The meeting was held in Closed Session.

1. Motion on Rates Rebate for Businesses Affected by Foot and Mouth Disease

1.1 Members of the two Committees considered the proposed motion.

1.2 The Committees deliberated.

1.3 Resolved: BothCommittees agreed unanimously to table the following motion under the joint signatures of the Committee Chairmen.

'That the Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel, the Executive and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to respond to the current crises resulting from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease by introducing a hardship relief package to reflect the fall in incomes being experienced, not only by farm related businesses but also by businesses in the tourist industry.'

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 1p.m.

Francie Molloy   Chairman

Pat Doherty   Chairman