AUDIT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2009
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Peter Weir (Chairperson)
Mr Samuel Gardiner (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Stephen Farry
Mr Tommy Gallagher
In Attendance: Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr Paul Maskey
The meeting commenced at 1.30pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting and welcomed Mr Gallagher to his first meeting as a new member of the Committee.
The Committee welcomed Mr Weir as the new Chairperson.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
Members noted the tabled interests of Mr Gallagher and Mr Weir as new Committee members.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Samuel Gardiner
Seconded: Mr Stephen Farry
4. Matters arising
Members wished to record their appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson, Mr Robin Newton and to Mr Pat Ramsey for their service to the Committee.
5. End of Session Report 2008 - 2009
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft End of Session Report for 2008 – 2009 as amended.
6. NIAO Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009
Members examined the NIAO Resource Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009 together with the Audit Findings Report prepared by Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, dated 5 June 2009.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Kieran Donnelly, Auditor and Comptroller General, NIAO; Ms Janet Sides, Assistant Auditor General, NIAO; Ms Louise Mason, Assistant Auditor General, NIAO; and Mr Tomas Wilkinson, Audit Manager, NIAO. The Chairperson invited Mr Donnelly to present the key issues emerging from the Resource Accounts.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Mr Donnelly and his colleagues.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr John O’Rourke, Partner, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore and Mr John Davin, Director, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore and invited them to brief the Committee on the findings within their Audit Report.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Mr O’Rourke and Mr Davin.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the NIAO Resource Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2009.
7. Draft NIAO Corporate Plan 2010/11 – 2012/13
Members noted the draft NIAO Corporate Plan.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Kieran Donnelly, Auditor and Comptroller General and his colleagues back to the meeting and invited Mr Donnelly to brief the Committee on the key issues within the draft Corporate Plan.
Following discussion on a number of issues the Chairperson thanked Mr Donnelly and his colleagues for attending.
Agreed: The Committee approved the draft Corporate Plan and agreed to draw up a foreword for the Corporate Plan.
8. Time, date and place of next meeting
Members will be informed of the date of the next meeting of the Audit Committee in due course by committee staff.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.56pm.