PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 2009
THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr John Dallat
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Ms Dawn Purvis
Mr Jim Shannon
In Attendance:
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Darren Weir (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting opened at 2.00 pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Matters arising
Press Release on ‘Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit Ltd’.
Members noted the proposed press release for the Committee report on ‘Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit Ltd: Transfer and Disposal of Assets’.
Agreed: Members agreed to launch the proposed press release to coincide with the report on 10 December 2009.
Press Release on ‘Review of New Deal 25+’.
Members noted the proposed press release for the Committee report on ‘Review of New Deal 25+’.
Agreed: Members agreed to launch the proposed press release to coincide with the report on 17 December 2009.
2:03 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting
Correspondence from Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, DHSSPS
Members noted correspondence from Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, DHSSPS relating to a request for further information by the Committee.
2:05 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
2:10 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting
3. Evidence Session on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘The Performance of the Planning Service’.
Mr David Hilditch declared an interest as he is currently a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council’s Transition Committee for the Review of Public Administration.
2:15 pm Mr Dallat and Mr Donaldson entered the meeting
2:35 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting
2:38 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting
2:55 pm Mr Craig left the meeting
3:13 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting
3:18 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting
The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:
- Mr Leo O’Reilly, Accounting Officer, Department of the Environment
- Ms Cynthia Smith, Chief Executive, Planning Service
- Ms Marianne Fleming, Director of Corporate Services, Planning Service
- Mr Tom Clarke, Director of Strategic Planning, Planning Service
3:26 pm Mr Hilditch left the meeting
3:37 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting
3:37 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting
3:45 pm Mr Donaldson entered the meeting
3:48 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
4:04 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
4:05 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting
4:10 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting
4:13 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting
4:16 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting
4:17 pm Ms Purvis left the meeting
4:27 pm Mr Hilditch entered the meeting
The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further information from the Department.
4. Minutes of the meeting on 26 November 2009
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
5. Any other business
The Committee agreed to send paper Christmas cards to eight recipients in the name of the Committee and signed on its behalf by the Chairperson.
6. Date, time and venue of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm.