AUDIT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Robin Newton MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Samuel Gardiner MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John O’Dowd MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
In attendance:
Ms Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms Linda Hare (Clerical Supervisor)
Apologies:
Dr Stephen Farry MLA
The meeting commenced in public session at 2.00 p.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies as noted above.
2. Chairperson’s Business
There was no Chairperson’s Business.
3. Draft Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 November 2007.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2007 were agreed.
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted the response from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) in relation to issues raised regarding the Corporate Plan.
The Committee noted the information supplied by DFP regarding the Permanent Secretary’s and C & AG pay award for the last five years.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the issue of Members receiving training on the scrutiny of audit work is to be kept on the agenda.
5. Approval of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Annual Salary Increase
The Committee discussed the annual salary increase for the C &AG and the issue of retrospective payment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to an amendment to Standing Orders which would provide the Audit Committee with the power to table an annual resolution to enable the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Annual Salary increase.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek the opinion of DFP and the Northern Ireland Audit Office in relation to the wording of the amendment to Standing Orders.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold a further short meeting once the Senior Salary Review Body Report is published.
2.10 p.m. Mr Samuel Gardiner arrived.
2.11 p.m. Mr John O’Dowd left the meeting.
6. Environmental Audit
The Committee was briefed by Mr John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General on Environmental Audit. Mr Dowdall advised that the Department of the Environment had yet to make any decisions or respond to the Report on “Review of Environmental Governance”.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee for the Environment to ask if they have considered the Review of Environmental Governance and what their position on the recommendations affecting the Audit Office is.
7. Privilege for Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports
The Committee were briefed by Mr John Dowdall and Ms Janet Sides on privilege for Northern Ireland Audit Office reports. The Committee were advised that a long term solution needs to be found in order to address the issue of privilege for Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports in the future and that they are exploring the possibility of getting a clause in the draft Financial Provisions Bill. The Northern Ireland Audit Office is exploring this possibility with DFP and will keep the Committee informed of any development.
Agreed: The Committee agreed it would be preferable if the issue of privilege for all reports issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General was covered in legislation.
Agreed: That the Northern Ireland Audit Office would keep the Committee informed of any development regarding the inclusion in the Financial Provisions Bill of a clause covering privilege for the Comptroller and Auditor General reports.
8. Contract for Northern Ireland Audit Office Auditors
The Committee were briefed by Mr John Dowdall on the forthcoming appointment of the Auditor to the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The Committee noted their role in the monitoring and approval of external audit arrangements and were advised that the current arrangement is due to end in June 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DFP to ask them to outline the process involved for the appointment of the Auditor to the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
9. Any other business
There was no other business.
10. Date, time and place of the next meeting
The date, time and place of the next meeting will be forwarded in due course.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.37 p.m.