Present: Mr Francie Molloy (Chairman)
Mr Alex Attwood
Mr Billy Bell
Mr Seamus Close
Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Derek Hussey
Ms Patricia Lewsley
Mr Alex Maskey
Mr Peter Robinson MP
Mr Peter Weir

Apologies: Mr James Leslie (Deputy Chairman)

In attendence: Mr Martin Wilson (Principal Clerk)
Mr Peter Hughes (Clerk)
Ms Edel Gillen (Executive Support)
Ms Sharon Bowman (Administrative Support)

1.1 The Chairman welcomed Ms Patricia Lewsley who was appointed to the Committee and replaced Mr Donovan McClelland.

2.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Proceedings for 9 January 2001.

3.1 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Minutes of Evidence for 5, 7, 12, 19 December 2000 and 9, 16 January 2001.

4.1 Mr David Ferguson, Department of Finance and Personnel briefed the Committee on the Department's business programme. Members were concerned about the short timescales being given for some issues such as consultation on public service agreements. The Committee noted the need for the Department to ensure adequate time is allowed for consultation and consideration of issues coming before the Committee.

4.2 Resolved: That the Department would the Committee with further information on the work of the Department.

5.1.1 The Committee deliberated on a letter dated 15 January from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on errors made by the Rates Collection Agency when calculating the penny product for 1997/98 and 1998/99. The Committee also deliberated on the draft reply to a letter dated 4 January from Belfast City Council asking to meet the Committee to discuss the Penny Product.

5.1.2 Resolved: That the Chief Executive, Belfast City Council be invited to send a delegation to meet the Committee. And that the Chief Executive, Rates Collection Agency be asked to appear before the Committee on the matter.

6.1.1 Mr David Stewart and Mr Robert Plunkett, Department of Finance and Personnel appeared before the Committee and were questioned on The Building Regulations (NI) 389/2000. The Committee deliberated on the radon affected zones, access and facilities for disabled people and the level of consultation on the regulations.

6.1.2 Resolved: That the Department would provide the Committee with a summary of the responses from building control groups to the consultation exercise. And that the matter would be considered again at the next meeting.

6.2.1 The Committee deliberated on the Superannuation (Equality Commission for Northern Ireland) Order ( NI) 2000 (SR No 391/2000). The Rule adds employment in the Equality Commission and Office of the Chief Commissioner to the employments for which the Department of Finance and Personnel may make pension schemes.

6.2.2 Resolved: That the Committee would report to the Assembly that it was content with Statutory Rule 391/2000.

6.4 The Committee deliberated on the Superannuation (Northern Ireland Assembly Commission) Order (NI) 2000 (SR No 391/2000). This Rule adds employment in the NI Assembly Commission to the employments for which the Department of Finance and Personnel may make pension schemes.

6.4.1 Resolved: That the Committee would report to the Assembly that it was content with Statutory Rule 392/2000.

7.1.1 The Committee deliberated on the proposed amendment to Clause 18 of the Government Resources and Accounts Bill and a letter dated 15 January 2001 from the Minister of Finance and Personnel on the Minister's proposals for extending the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Committee welcomed the Minister's letter but considered that, in the absence of the text of the proposed amendment from the Minister, the amendment proposed by the PAC and amended by the Committee should be recommended to the Assembly. The amendment should be further amended to refer to "all documents relating to the accounts".

7.1.2 Resolved: The Committee agreed that Clause 18 should be amended as follows:

Clause 18, page 10, line 19 at end insert -
"( ) The accounts and all documents relating to the accounts of an authority or body which are not otherwise required to be examined and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General should be open to his inspection if it appears to him that the body exercises functions of a public nature, has received significant public funds or is entirely or substantively funded from public money." '

7.1.3 Motion: That the Committee reports to the Assembly that it is content with Clause 18, as amended.

7.1.4 The question being put the motion was carried without division.

7.1.5 The Committee deliberated on the draft Report on the Government Resources and Accounts Bill. A number of amendments were made to the Report.

7.1.6 Resolved: The Committee agreed the Report, as amended and ordered it to be printed.

8.1 The Committee deliberated on the draft terms of reference for the inquiry into Private Finance Initiative / Public Private Partnership.

8.2 Resolved: The Committee agreed the terms of reference.

9.1 The following correspondence was tabled for the Committee's attention:

• Port of Belfast - copy of a letter dated 9 January from the Minister to Alban Maginnis, Chairman, Committee for Regional Development;
• Arrangements for further appointment of C&AG - copy of a letter dated 9 January from John Dallat, Chairman, Audit Committee to the Minister;
• Salary arrangements of C&AG - copy of a letter dated 11 January from the Minister on a proposed further motion to the Assembly.

• Review of the Legislative Process - letter dated 15 January to Conor Murphy, Chairman Procedures Committee.

10.2 The Committee deliberated on a request dated 8 January 2001 to the Chairman from Nigel Smyth, Director CBI Northern Ireland to meet the Committee to discuss the CBI Report - Addressing Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Deficit.

10.3 Resolved: That the CBI be invited to send a delegation to meet the Committee on the matter.

10.5 The Committee deliberated on a request by Committee for Regional Development that officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel should attend a meeting to discuss the letter dated 9 January from the Minister of Finance and Personnel to Alban Maginnis, Chairman, Committee for Regional Development.

10.6 Resolved: That the Committee was content that officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel could appear before the Committee for Regional Development to speak to the letter dated 9 January from the Minister of Finance and Personnel to the Chairman, Committee for Regional Development.

11.1 Resolved: That the Committee meet on Tuesday, 23 January 2001 at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room 144.