Proceedings of the Sub-Group to Consider the Economic Challenges Facing Northern Ireland - 22 August 2006

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 22 August 2006 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings at 10.00am.

In the Chair: Francie Molloy

Present: Esmond Birnie
George Dawson
Kieran McCarthy
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Fra McCann
Mitchel McLaughlin
David McNarry
Sean Neeson
Margaret Ritchie
Peter Weir

In Attendance: Alan Patterson (Principal Clerk)
Roisin Donnelly (Assistant Clerk)
Trevor Allen (Clerical Supervisor)
Paul Stitt (Clerical Supervisor)

The meeting commenced at 10.00am in closed session.

1. Apologies

David Ford (Mr McCarthy attended the meeting as Alliance representative in place of Mr Ford).

Michelle Gildernew MP (Mr McCann attended the meeting as SF representative in place of Ms Gildernew).

Ian Paisley Jnr (Mr Dawson attended the meeting as DUP representative in place of Mr Paisley).

2. Draft Minutes of Meetings on 17 August 2006

These were agreed for publication on the Assembly’s website.

3. Matters Arising

Members noted copies of the party presentations for UUPAG and DUP from the meeting of 17 August.

Mr McLaughlin joined the meeting at 10.02am

Members noted confirmation that the Minister, Maria Eagle MP will appear before the Sub-group for an evidence session on 5 September at 10.15am. Members noted that the addendum to the Sub-group’s report may be no more than the Hansard of the evidence session given the timescales for the anticipated plenary debate.

Members noted that efforts were continuing to be made to arrange an evidence session with both the Youth Forum and Youth Net to also take place on 5 September.

4. Additional Information Received from Witnesses

Members noted the additional information, requested at a recent evidence session, received from the Department of Finance and Personnel on the 1998 Chancellor’s Initiative Package.

5. Draft Report

Dr Birnie and Dr McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.04am

It was agreed that Members would consider the first draft of the report section by section, and that any agreement reached at this meeting would be subject to further deliberation and discussion with party colleagues.

Membership, Terms of Reference and Contents

The Sub-group Membership, Terms of Reference and Contents sections of the report were agreed.

Introduction

The Introduction of the report was agreed subject to minor amendment at paragraph 7.

Consideration of Evidence

The Consideration of Evidence on Impediments to Economic Growth section of the report was agreed subject to:

• minor amendment to paragraphs 11 and 12;

• an addition at paragraph 16;

• reformatting of the bullets points at paragraph 24;

• minor amendments to paragraph 24 (bullet points 16 and 17);

• expansion of information on ‘Low R&D development . . .’at paragraph 28;

• a qualifying sentence under each sub section of paragraph 28 to explain the context in which the bullet points are listed;

 Mr Weir left the meeting at 10.45am.

• expansion of information on ‘High economic activity rate’ at paragraph 28;

Dr Birnie left the meeting at 10.46am.

• expansion of information on ‘Underperformance in tourist industry’ at paragraph 28;

• change of title of ‘Location and size of Northern Ireland’ at paragraph 28 to ‘Peripherality’;

• reformatting of the bullets points at paragraph 29 to roman numerals;

Mr Weir rejoined the meeting at 10.47am.

• amendment to paragraph 29, (bullet points 2 and 3);

• additional bullet point to be inserted at paragraph 29 relating to ’review of structure, function and operations of INI’;

Dr Birnie rejoined the meeting at 10.52am.

• The reordering of the bullet points at paragraph 29 to give more prominence to bullet point 6;

• amendment to paragraph 29, (bullet point 7);

• amendment to paragraph 29, (bullet points 8 and 10);

• the inclusion of the following further two bullet points at paragraph 29:

xi. The sub-group agreed that failure to have all party agreement on the political institutions and policing will hinder and act as an impediment to business investment in Northern Ireland.

xii. Organised crime, particularly where it impacts on business also acts as a serious impediment to economic stability and growth.

Mr McCarthy and Mr McNarry left the meeting at 11.40am.

The Consideration of Evidence on Fiscal Incentives that may promote FDI and Indigenous Investment section of the report was agreed subject to:

• minor amendment at paragraphs 33 and 38;

Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting at 11.45am.

• minor amendment at paragraph 52;

• expansion of paragraph 53 to include reference to evidence from the NI Manufacturing Focus Group;

Mr Weir left the meeting at 11.50am.

Mr McNarry rejoined the meeting at 11.50am.

• minor amendment at paragraph 64;

• the inclusion of reference to the ‘small firms loan guarantee scheme’ at paragraph 65;

• amendment at paragraph 69 (bullet points 2 and 3);

The Consideration of Evidence on Other matters including economic package/peace dividend – contribution to economic regeneration and how this might be delivered section of the report was agreed subject to:

• expansion of paragraph 76;

• minor amendment to paragraph 82, (bullet points 1, 2 and 6) and paragraph 86;

Dr McDonnell left the meeting at 12.20pm.

List of Abbreviations

The List of Abbreviations was agreed.

Appendices

The contents of the appendices were agreed.

The Chairperson invited Members to forward any further amendments to the report for the attention of the Principal Clerk to be included in the final draft to be considered at Thursday’s meeting.

6. Any Other Business

Members noted the invitation to join the Speaker for lunch in the Members Dining Room on Thursday, 31 August and agreed to forward confirmation of attendees to sub-group staff by Friday, 25 August.

7. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the sub-group was arranged for Thursday 24 August 2006 at 10.00am. It was confirmed that Thursday’s meeting would be the last opportunity for consideration of the final report in order to meet the report deadline of 25 August.

The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm