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PRESS RELEASE

25 February 2009

PR/08/08/09

PAC AGREES GREATER CO-OPERATION WITH OPPOSITE IN DUBLIN

The NI Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, after informal meetings, has agreed to greater co-operation with its opposite number in Dublin when scrutinising the work of the North/South Bodies.

The Assembly Committee will take evidence in public on 12 March 2009 on InterTradeIreland and the Special EU Programmes Body, and the Dail Committee will take evidence on Tourism Ireland and Waterways Ireland on 2 April 2009.

Speaking about the discussions, Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Paul Maskey MLA commented, “As a committee we are very pleased with the outcome of our recent meeting with the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts. Both committees are committed to ensuring that monies spent by the North/South Bodies are properly accounted for and provide the public with effective, efficient and value for money activities.

“We believe that this common programme of work is just a beginning and we are actively considering ways in which greater co-operation can be achieved on the scrutiny of the North/South Bodies.”

ENDS
Notes to Editors

The PAC Committee members are:-

Alliance

Mr Trevor Lunn

Democratic Unionist Party

Mr Jim Shannon 6

Mr Jonathan Craig

Mr George Robinson 7

Mr Jim Wells 3,4,5

Sinn Fein

Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson) 2

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Mr John Dallat

Mr Thomas Burns 1

Ulster Unionist Party

Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)

Progressive Unionist Party

Ms Dawn Purvis

1 With effect from 04 March 2008 Mr Thomas Burns replaced Mr Patsy McGlone.
2 With effect from 20 May 2008 Mr Paul Maskey replaced Mr John O'Dowd.
3 With effect from 1 October 2007 Mr Mickey Brady replaced Mr Willie Clarke.
4 With effect from 21 January 2008 Mr Ian McCrea replaced Mr Mickey Brady.
5 With effect from Tuesday 27 May 08 Mr Jim Wells replaced Mr Ian McCrea.
6 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr Shannon replaced Mr David Hilditch.
7 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr Robinson replaced Mr Simon Hamilton

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Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk Website archive.niassembly.gov.uk