PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Gregory Campbell
Mr John Dallat
Mr William Irwin
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Stephen Moutray
Ms Dawn Purvis

In Attendance:
Miss Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Adrian McQuillan

1:05 pm The meeting opened in closed session.
1:06 pm Mr Dallat and Mr McGlone entered the meeting.

The Committee agreed to conduct the meeting in closed session to discuss matters relating to the development of its draft report into the NI Water inquiry.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 7 October 2010

The minutes of the meetings were agreed.

3. NI Water

Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Audit Office

Members noted correspondence from Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office to Mr Tony McGovern, Rodgers Contracts relating to the Committee’s request that the Audit Office follow up on the issues raised.

1:08 pm Mr Beggs entered the meeting.
1:18 pm Mr Moutray left the meeting.
1:25 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.
1:31 pm Mr Irwin left the meeting.

Correspondence from Mr Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service

Members noted correspondence from Mr Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service relating to the investigation being undertaken in respect of Mr Paul Priestly’s suspension.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Mr Robinson to clarify some points raised.

Correspondence from Sir Jon Shortridge KCB

Members noted correspondence from Sir Jon Shortridge KCB requesting a meeting with the Chairperson re events after the Committee’s evidence session on 1 July 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should meet Sir Shortridge on behalf of the Committee.

Correspondence from Mr Declan Gormley

Members noted correspondence from Mr Declan Gormley detailing questions sent by him to the Department for Regional Development.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to follow up on some of the points raised.

1:44 pm Mr Campbell left the meeting.
1:45 pm Mr Beggs left the meeting.

FOI Updates

The Chairperson updated the Committee on information obtained by Freedom of Information and submitted as evidence. The Committee was briefed by the Clerk to the Committee on the developing register of this material and agreed for further updates as the register develops.

4. Any other business

There was no other business.

5. Date, time and place of next meeting

The Committee will meet again on Thursday 14 October 2010, at 2:00 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

1:50 pm The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Paul Maskey
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
14 October 2010

07 October 10 / Menu