DETI NEWS RELEASES
___________________________________________________
Petroleum Licensing in Northern Ireland
On 29th June 2010 the Department published a Notice (2010/C169/4) in the Official Journal of the European Union announcing the availability of all of onshore Northern Ireland for Petroleum Licence applications and inviting applications by 27th August 2010.
The Application form and detailed Guidance along with relevant legislation and other technical information can be accessed here.
___________________________________________________
New Statutory Rules
On 30th April 2010, the Department made two new Statutory Rules. The Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 implement Council Directive 94/22/EC in Northern Ireland by introducing new arrangements and requirements for granting and using licences relating to the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons. The Petroleum Production (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 amend the existing Petroleum Production Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 to complement the Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations by introducing new requirements for applications for petroleum licences and new provisions for licences. The amendments will bring licensing arrangements here more closely into line with those in Great Britain. Both sets of Regulations were laid before the Assembly on 5th May 2010 and will come into operation on 28th May 2010. They can be accessed on the website of the Office of Public Sector information (www.opsi.gov.uk) or by accessing the link here
___________________________________________________
Independent Review of Economic Policy (DETI / Invest NI)
The consultation period for the Independent Review of Economic Policy has now closed.
On 25 January 2010, the Minister gave a statement to the Assembly outlining how she intends to respond to the IREP recommendations.
This statement, along with accompanying annex and the IREP consultation report, can be found below.
RESPONSE TO IREP RECOMMENDATIONS PAPER
The individual responses to the consultation exercise can be viewed by clicking here
___________________________________________________
NEW CONSULTATIONS
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND RENEWABLES OBLIGATION (NIRO)
This consultation seeks views of stakeholders on proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO) for implementation by 1 April 2011 and other changes on which initial views are being sought.
All responses to this consultation should be submitted by 21 October 2010
CONSULTATION OF CHANGES TO RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GUANANTEES OF ORIGIN (REGO's)
These changes are required under Article 15 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and must be made by 5 December 2010.
All responses to this consultation should be submitted by 8 September 2010
PROPOSALS FOR REGULATORY REFORM OF CREDIT UNIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND 30 March 2010
This consultation seeks the views of stakeholders on the decision to transfer the regulation of credit unions in Northern Ireland from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to the Financial Services Authority. The transfer of regulation will protect credit union members in the event of a collapse of their credit union by giving access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service.
This consultation also seeks views on associated changes to credit union legislation and regulation in Northern Ireland. These include whether the Northern Ireland legislation should be amended to give credit unions the same powers as are available to those in GB; and whether they should have specific powers enabling community investment and whether the registration function for Northern Ireland credit unions should also pass to the FSA.
All responses to this consultation should be submitted by 24 May 2010.
DRAFT TOURISM STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND TO 2020
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on this draft Tourism Strategy. The consultation is open until 20 May 2010
Social Economy Enterprise Strategy 2009-2011 [ 12-08-2009 ]
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on this draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy. The consultation period will run from 12th August until 5pm Friday 9th October 2009.
Draft Cross Departmental Bioenergy Action Plan [ 12-08-2009 ]
On behalf of the Bioenergy Inter Departmental Group, DETI has published for consultation a draft Bioenergy Action Plan which sets out proposals for the sustainable development of the sector in Northern Ireland. The consultation is open until 30 October 2009.
Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order (Amendment) Bill 2010 [ 06-07-2009]
The Statutory Regulation of Tourist Accommodation in Northern Ireland [ 06-07-2009 ]
The main aim of these consultation documents is to identify proposed changes to the regulation of tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland. The consultation documents set out proposed changes to the frequency of inspections for tourist accommodation, the criteria to be met by tourist accommodation establishments and the fees charged for inspections. Changes have also been identified to the procedure whereby the Chair of NITB is appointed.
Encouraging Company Rescue - a consultation [ 30-06-2009 ]
This consultation document seeks your comments on proposals for measures that will facilitate company rescue.
Encouraging Company Rescue - a consultation
Encouraging Company Rescue - Impact Assessment
Encouraging Company Rescue - Small Business Summary
ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESS
This is not an exhaustive list of all forms of support but instead provides a snapshot of the main European, UK and NI schemes recently introduced as a direct response to the economic downturn. These include European Investment Bank Funding, BIS's Enterprise Finance Guarantee and Invest NI's Accelerated Support Fund and Short Term Aid Scheme.
This matrix of support will be updated as new schemes develop.
Assistance to Business Table - at 12 March 2010
Contacts
For further information on Assistance to Business, please email spdadmin@detini.gov.uk
