COMMITTEE FOR FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THIRTY FOURTH MEETING
TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 2000
COMMITTEE ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
1. Minutes of Proceedings
2. Minutes of Evidence
3. Consider any Statutory Rules
4. Matters arising
5. Consider any Bills
6. Correspondence
7. Any other Business
8 . Date of Next Meeting
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Present: |
Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman) Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman) Mr Alex Attwood Mr Billy Bell Mr Seamus Close Mr Nigel Dodds Mr Alex Maskey Mr Peter Robinson Mr Peter Weir |
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Apologies: |
none received |
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In attendence: |
Mr Martin Wilson (Committee Clerk) |
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 2.35 p.m. The meeting was held in public session.
1. Minutes of Proceedings
1.1. Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 5 December 2000.
2.1. Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Evidence for 16 and 21 November 2000.
Mr Alex Attwood left the meeting at 2.45 p.m.
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3. Consider any Statutory Rules:
3.1. The Committee deliberated on a proposed Statutory Rule to be made under powers conferred by Article 3 (4) and (7) of the Superannuation Order (NI) 1972, which would provide access to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI) for the office of Chief Executive, Mental Health Commission.
3.1.1. Resolved :That the Department be asked for details of the number of any other posts for which such pension provision needed to be made and the names of the organisations likely to be involved.
4.1. Draft Budget
4.1.1. The Minister of Finance and Personnel appeared before the Committee and was questioned on the revised Draft Budget that was presented to the Assembly on Tuesday, 12 December. Particular attention was given to the approach to be taken in addressing the Barnett formula and its application to Northern Ireland, European Union funding, and the Executive Programme Funds.
Mr Peter Weir attended the meeting from 3.10 p.m.
4.2. Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/00)
4.2.1. The Minister of Finance and Personnel appeared before the Committee and was questioned on the letter dated 7 December from the Chairman to the Minister on the Government Resources and Accounts Bill. The Minister confirmed that he was in agreement with the broad thrust of the approach being taken by this Committee and by the Public Accounts Committee and Audit Committee on public accountability and extending the power of the Comptroller and Auditor General to investigate any body that spends significant public monies. He was also questioned on his intention to bring forward an amendment to the Bill to extend the remit of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board.
4.2.2. Resolved: The Minister agreed to consider the proposed amendment to Clause 18 to extend the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General and would seek advice from Legislative Counsel and the Comptroller and Auditor General. He also agreed that an amendment to the Bill to extend the remit of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board would be made.
Mr Nigel Dodds attended from 3.20 p.m.
4.3. Penny Product Calculation
4.4. The Committee questioned the Minister on his letter dated 7 December to the Committee. This outlined the penny product calculation for rate revenue and general grant 1997/98 and subsequent years.
4.5. Resolved: That the Department would provide the Committee with a more detailed written explanation of the nature and resolution of the problem.
5.1. Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/00)
5.1.1. The Committee deliberated on the Long Title and Clauses 1 to 17 of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill (NIA Bill 6/99).
5.1.2. The Committee deliberated on the Long Title
5.1.3. Resolved: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Long Title.5.1.4. Motion: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with the Long Title.
5.1.5. The question being put, the motion was carried without division.
5.1.6. The Committee deliberated on Clauses 1 to 6.
5.1.7. Resolved: The Committee agreed that it was content with Clauses 1 to 6.
5.1.8. Motions: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with Clauses 1 to 6.
5.1.9. The questions being put, the motions were carried without division.
5.1.10. The Committee deliberated on Clause 7.
5.1.11. Resolved: The Committee noted that an amendment was required to introduce the oversight arrangements to be undertaken by the Financial Reporting Advisory Board and asked the Department to clarify the principles and intent of any such amendment.
5.1.12. Subsection (6) line 3 "Department" to be amended to "department". The Clerk to determine whether or not this change required a motion to be made.
5.1.13. The Committee deliberated on Clause 8.
5.1.14. Resolved: The Committee asked the Department to give further consideration to the Committee's proposed amendment to Clause 18 to extend the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General to inspect accounts and to report back to the Committee whether this would have any impact on Clause 8.
5.1.15. The Committee deliberated on Clause 9.
5.1.16 Resolved: The Committee agreed that it is content with Clause 9.
5.1.17. Motion: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with Clause 9.
5.1.18. The question being put, the motion was carried without division.
5.1.19. The Committee deliberated on Clause 10.
5.1.20. Resolved: The Committee agreed that Clause 10 should be amended to ensure that the Comptroller and Auditor General would have access at all times to documents relating to a department's accounts.
5.1.21. Motion: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that Clause 10 should be amended as follows:
page 6, line 36, leave out ' at all reasonable times'
5.1.22. The question being put, the motion was carried without division.
5.1.23. Motion: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with Clause 10 as amended.
5.1.24. The Committee deliberated on Clauses 11 to 17.
5.1.25. Resolved: The Committee agreed that it was content with the following motions.
5.1.26. Motions: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with Clauses 11 to 17.
5.1.27. The questions being put, the motions were carried without division.
5.1.28. Resolved: That Clauses 7, 8 and 18 to 24 and Schedules 1 and 2 be considered on Tuesday, 19 December.
6.1. The tabled correspondence was noted.
7.1. The Committee deliberated on a letter dated 5 December from the Chairman Committee on Procedures asking for comments by 31 January 2001 on how the Assembly's legislative process could be improved.
7.2 Resolved: That the Clerk would prepare a letter covering issues previously raised by the Committee for consideration at the first meeting in January.
Resolved:That the Committee meet on Tuesday, 19 December at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144 to continue consideration of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill.
The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 4.45 p.m.
FRANCIE MOLLOY
Chairman
7 December 2000/ Menu / 19 December 2000