Formal Minutes of the Committee Session

Transcription

1 House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Formal Minutes of the Committee Session

2 Formal Minutes of the Committee TUESDAY 24 MAY 2016 Oliver Colvile Mr Nigel Evans Kate Hoey Ian Paisley 1. Northern Ireland and the EU referendum [Adjourned till Wednesday 25 May 2016 at 9.30 am WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 Tom Blenkinsop Oliver Colvile Mr Nigel Evans Mr Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey 1. Northern Ireland and the EU referendum Draft Report (Northern Ireland and the EU referendum), proposed by the Chair, brought up and read. Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Paragraphs 1 to 100 read and agreed to. Appendix agreed to. 2

3 Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House. Ordered, That the Chair make the Report to the House. Ordered, That embargoed copies of the Report be made available, in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No The electricity sector in Northern Ireland [Adjourned till Wednesday 8 June 2016 at 9.15 am WEDNESDAY 8 JUNE 2016 Oliver Colvile Mr Stephen Hepburn Ian Paisley 1. Northern Ireland and the EU referendum 2. Committee s future programme Resolved, That the Committee visit Belfast and Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, on July The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet: Mr David Bowen Mr Robert Graham Windwatch NI 3

4 West Tyrone Against Wind Turbines Power NI Manufacturing Northern Ireland Quarry Products Association NI Lightsource Renewable Energy SSE Gaelectric Holdings Deparment for Energy and Climate Change AES UK & Ireland Mutual Energy ABO Wind NI Consumer Council for Northern Ireland ESB RES Electricity Association of Ireland Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG) Professor Neil Hewitt and Dr Patrick Keatley, Ulster University The Committee took public evidence from Professor Neil Hewitt and Dr Patrick Keatley, Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Ulster University. [Adjourned till Wednesday 15 June 2016 at 9.15 am WEDNESDAY 15 JUNE 2016 Oliver Colvile Mr Stephen Hepburn Ian Paisley 1. Loyalist Community Council 2. Historical inquiries 4

5 3. Northern Ireland Retired Police Officers Association th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme 5. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the written evidence submitted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet. The Committee took public evidence from Rachel Anderson, Chair, Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group, and Maf Smith, Deputy Chief Executive, RenewableUK. [Adjourned till Wednesday 29 June 2016 at 9.15 am WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE 2016 Oliver Colvile Nigel Evans Kate Hoey Ian Paisley 1. Northern Ireland and the EU referendum th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme Resolved, That Kate Hoey and Ian Paisley have leave to travel to Thiepval, France, on Friday 1 July 2016 in a representative capacity to attend the Northern Ireland Ceremony to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at the Ulster Memorial Tower. 3. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland 5

6 Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet: CBI Northern Ireland SONI Energia Group Action Renewables The Committee took public evidence from Sheila McClelland, Chair of the Board, John French, Chief Executive Officer, and Richard Williams, Head of Energy, The Consumer Council; Stephen McCully, Managing Director, and William Steele, Settlement and Regulation Manager, Power NI, Marian Troy, Head of Corporate Affairs (Northern Ireland), SSE, and Andrew Greer, General Manager Northern Ireland, SSE Airtricity. [Adjourned till Wednesday 6 July 2016 at 9.15 am FRIDAY 1 JULY 2016 Kate Hoey and Ian Paisley visited Thiepval, France, in a representative capacity to attend the Northern Ireland Ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme at the Ulster Memorial Tower in accordance with the Committee s decision of 29 June WEDNESDAY 6 JULY 2016 Oliver Colvile 1. HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafisupplied Semtex and weapons 2. Promoting the tourism industry in Northern Ireland through the tax system 6

7 3. Future programme 4. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the written evidence submitted by Evermore Energy relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet. The Committee took public evidence from Carla Tully, President, AES UK & Ireland, and Paddy Hayes, Executive Director, Generation and Wholesale Markets, ESB. [Adjourned till Wednesday 20 July 2016 at 9.30 am MONDAY 11 TUESDAY 12 JULY 2016 The Chair, Mr Stephen Hepburn, Kate Hoey,, and visited Belfast and Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, for informal meetings and to observe the parades on the Twelfth, in accordance with the Committee s decision of 8 June WEDNESDAY 20 JULY 2016 Oliver Colvile 1. Future programme 2. HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafisupplied Semtex and weapons 7

8 3. Promoting the tourism industry in Northern Ireland through the tax system 4. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland [Adjourned till Tuesday 6 September 2016 at 9.15 am TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2016 Nigel Evans Mr Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey Ian Paisley 1. Future programme Resolved, That the Chair have leave to travel to Belfast on Wednesday 15 September 2016 in a representative capacity to attend the Northern Ireland Energy Forum. Resolved, That the Committee visit Belfast on October 2016 in relation to its inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland. Resolved, That the Committee visit Dublin on November 2016, and that the Chair seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the visit. 2. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the written evidence submitted by the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet. The Committee took public evidence from Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive, and Jo Aston, Wholesale Director, Utility Regulator; and Robin McCormick, General Manager, SONI. 8

9 [Adjourned till Wednesday 14 September 2016 at 2.45 pm 9

10 WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2016 Mr Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey Ian Paisley 1. Future programme Resolved, That the Committee hold an inquiry into the Future of the Land Border with the Republic of Ireland. 2. Work of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland 3. Work of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland The Committee took public evidence from Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Sir Jonathan Stephens KCB, Permanent Secretary, Northern Ireland Office. [Adjourned till Wednesday 12 October 2016 at 9.15 am THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2016 The Chair visited Belfast in a representative capacity to attend the Northern Ireland Energy Forum 2016, in accordance with the Committee s decision of 6 September

11 WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2016 Ian Paisley 1. Future Programme 2. HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafisupplied Semtex and weapons Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafi-supplied Semtex and weapons be reported to the House for publication on the internet: Mr Vijay Modhwadia Mr Keith Powell 3. Work of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland The Committee took public evidence from Graham Shields, Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland. [Adjourned till Monday 17 October 2016 at 9.45 am SUNDAY 16 TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2016 The Chair, Tom Blenkinsop, Mr Nigel Evans, Mr Stephen Hepburn,, Kate Hoey,,,,, Ian Paisley and Gavin Robinson visited Belfast in accordance with the Committee s decision of 6 September

12 MONDAY 17 OCTOBER 2016 Tom Blenkinsop Nigel Evans Stephen Hepburn Kate Hoey Ian Paisley 1. Future Programme 2. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the written evidence submitted by NIE Networks relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet. The Committee took public evidence from Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive, and Tim Cox, Regulatory Analyst, Mutual Energy; and Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director, and Peter Ewing, Deputy Managing Director, NIE Networks. [Adjourned till Tuesday 18 October 2016 at 9.15 am TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2016 Tom Blenkinsop Nigel Evans Ian Paisley 1. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland 12

13 Dr David Dobbin, Chair, and Andrew Webb, Energy and Manufacturing Advisory Group; Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI, and Cecil McBurney, Director of Fabrications and Plant Engineering, Bombardier. [Adjourned till Wednesday 26 October 2016 at 9.15 am WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER 2016 Tom Blenkinsop Kate Hoey 1. Future Programme 2. HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafisupplied Semtex and weapons The Committee took public evidence from Rt Hon Jack Straw, former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. [Adjourned till Wednesday 2 November 2016 at 9.30 am WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2016 Tom Blenkinsop 13

14 1. HM Government support for UK Victims of IRA attacks that used Gaddafisupplied Semtex and weapons 2. Work of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland 3. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland 4. Promoting the tourism industry in Northern Ireland through the tax system 5. Future of the Land Border with the Republic of Ireland Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Future of the Land Border with the Republic of Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet: - Dr John Tracey - Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) - Institute of Directors - Carl Swann - International Centre for Local and Regional Development - Dr Nikos Skoutaris - Irish Central Border Area Network Ltd - Alliance Party of Northern Ireland - Bob Goodall - Centre for Cross Border Studies - Public and Commercial Services Union - Federation of Small Businesses - Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences (HUCBMS) - Professor Dagmar Schiek - Derry City and Strabane District Council - Mr Barry Fitzpatrick - Gwilym Gibbon Unit for Public Policy, Nuffield College, Oxford - AES UK & Ireland - Northern Ireland Office - Dairy UK 14

15 6. Future Programme Resolved, That the Committee s visit Dublin on November 2016 be postponed. [Adjourned till Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 9.15 am WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2016 Ian Paisley, in the Chair 1. Future Programme 2. The electricity sector in Northern Ireland Ordered, That the written evidence submitted by Power House Innovations Ltd relating to the inquiry into the electricity sector in Northern Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet. 3. Future of the land border with the Republic of Ireland The Committee took public evidence from Professor Michael Dougan, Professor of European Law and Jean Monnet Chair in EU Law, University of Liverpool, Professor Peter Shirlow, Director, Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, and Dr Stephanie Reynolds, Lecturer in Law and Director, European Law Unit, University of Liverpool. [Adjourned till Wednesday 23 November 2016 at 9.15 am 15

16 WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2016 Ian Paisley, in the Chair Tom Blenkinsop Mr Stephen Hepburn Bob Stewart 1. Committee Membership and Declaration of Interests Bob Stewart declared his interests, in accordance with the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992 (see Appendix A). 2. Future Programme 3. Future of the land border with the Republic of Ireland Ordered, That the following written evidence relating to the inquiry into Future of the Land Border with the Republic of Ireland be reported to the House for publication on the internet: - Sinn Féin - Jane Morrice The Committee took public evidence from Professor Dagmar Schiek, Professor of EU Law, Dr Katy Hayward, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, and Professor Cathal McCall, Professor in European Politics, Queen's University Belfast. [At 10.45am, took the Chair] [Adjourned till Wednesday 30 November 2016 at 9.15 am 16

17 APPENDIX A Stewart, Bob (Beckenham) 1. Employment and earnings From 1 February 2016 to 31 January 2017, consultant providing leadership and mentoring services to LBC Wise Counsel, Cheltenham Film and Photographic Studios, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6PN. LBC Wise Counsel provides leadership and management training for lawyers. I will receive 500 a month for an expected monthly commitment of 5 hours. (Registered 03 February 2016) 4. Visits outside the UK Name of donor: Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs Address of donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs P.O. Box 547, Government Road, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Amount of donation (or estimate of the probable value): flights, accommodation and transport; 4,753 Destination of visit: Bahrain Date of visit: January 2016 Purpose of visit: Conservative Middle East Council delegation to Bahrain (Registered 02 February 2016) Name of donor: Government of Taiwan Address of donor: Taiwan Representative Office, 50 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0EB Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flights, accommodation and transport with a value of 1,750 Destination of visit: Taipei Dates of visit: 25 September 2 October 2016 Purpose of visit: Briefings on Taiwan by Taiwanese Government. (Registered 14 October 2016) Name of donor: Government of Kazakhstan Address of donor: Kazakhstan Embassy, 125 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EA Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): Flight 2,000, accommodation 1,500 and transport/hospitality 350, total value 3,850 Destination of visit: Astana Dates of visit: 4 8 October 2016 Purpose of visit: As part of the APPG on Kazakhstan, meetings with Senate, Parliament, Prime Minister, Education Minister, Human Rights Commissioner and Sovereign Wealth Fund managers to discuss bilateral relationships. (Registered 14 October 2016) 17

18 Name of donor: HM Government of Gibraltar Address of donor: 150 Strand, London WC2E 1JA Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any donation): for myself and my wife, travel and accommodation with a total value of 1,116 Destination of visit: Gibraltar Dates of visit: 8-11 September 2016 Purpose of visit: Gibraltar APPG delegation. (Registered 17 October 2016) 9. Family members employed and paid from parliamentary expenses I employ my wife, Claire Podbielski-Stewart, as part-time Senior Parliamentary Assistant. (Registered 15 May 2015) 18