COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THIRTY THIRD MEETING
TUESDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2000
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/00) Evidence Session
2. Date of Next Meeting
|
Present: |
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman) Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman) Mr Alex Attwood Mr Billy Bell Mr Seamus Close Mr Nigel Dodds Mr Peter Robinson Mr Peter Weir |
|
Apologies: |
none received |
|
In attendence: |
Mr Martin Wilson (Committee Clerk) |
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.05 p.m. The meeting was held in public session.
1.1. Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/00) Evidence Session
1.1.1. The Chairman welcomed Mr Billy Hutchinson, Deputy Chairman, Audit Committee and Mr John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General who appeared before the Committee to give evidence on the Bill. The witnesses were questioned on matters arising from the letters to the Chairman dated 10 November 2000 from the Chairman, Audit Committee and 28 November from the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee. These proposed amendments to the Bill to extend the powers of investigation of the Comptroller and Auditor General and introduce an independent check on the Department of Finance and Personnel's guidance on accounting matters by extending the remit of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board.
Mr Peter Robinson attended from 2.20 p.m.
Mr Nigel Dodds attended from 2.29 p.m.
1.1.2. Mr Hutchinson spoke about his Committee's views on the need to ensure that the Comptroller and Auditor General's statutory powers of access to investigate were not restricted. The Comptroller and Auditor General explained that he was content with the audit procedures provided for in the Bill. However, the Bill did not take the opportunity to update his powers to inspect in line with latest government practice. With regard to performance measures he considered that there should be a statutory requirement that departments' performance indicators should be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General but was content to await the introduction of suitable powers in the proposed Audit Reorganisation Bill.
1.1.3. The Comptroller and Auditor General was questioned on the extent of his powers under the Bill to investigate bodies such as football clubs that can receive substantial sums of public monies for improvements but are not deemed to be public bodies. He explained that he did not think that he could investigate such bodies under the proposed amendment to Clause 18, as drafted by the Audit Committee but that he would need to seek advice on the matter.
The questioning of witnesses ended at 3.20 p.m.
1.1.4. The Committee deliberated on clauses 19 to 24 and Schedules 1 and 2 of the Government Resources and Accounts. Ms Eileen Regan, Research and Library Services, NI Assembly advised the Committee.
1.1.5. Resolved: That questions raised by members be put to the Department of Finance and Personnel.
top
2. Date of next meeting
2.1 Resolved:That the Committee would meet on Tuesday, 12 December at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144 to continue consideration of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill.
FRANCIE MOLLOY
5 December 2000 / Menu / 12 December 2000