PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr John Dallat
Mr William Irwin
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Adrian McQuillan
Mr Stephen Moutray
In Attendance:
Miss Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Darren Weir (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Ms Dawn Purvis
2:02 pm The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies. Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 4 November 2010
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters arising
Correspondence from the Department for Social Development
Members noted correspondence from Mr Will Haire, Accounting Officer, Department for Social Development providing an update on an evaluation undertaken following concerns highlighted by a whistleblower relating to DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal Funded Project.
2:06 pm Mr Irwin and Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.
2:07 pm Mr Lunn declared an interest stating that the whistleblower was a former colleague in politics and business.
2:09 pm Mr Campbell entered the meeting.
Correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
Members noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure highlighting concerns over the publication of annual reports and accounts of the North/South Language Body.
2:12 pm Mr Moutray entered the meeting.
The Committee was briefed by Mr Kieran Donnelly, C&AG of the background issues and current position of the annual reports and accounts.
2:17 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.
2:19 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and requested that the C&AG monitor the matter and update the Committee as progress continues.
Correspondence from Strictly Boardroom
Members noted correspondence from Eileen Mullen of Strictly Boardroom detailing research relating to public appointments and governance and noted that her dissertation was also available to them.
Correspondence from the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
Members noted correspondence from the Chair, General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland requesting correspondence sent to the Committee by a former employee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the terms of a reply to the correspondent.
4. Forward Work Programme – September – December 2010
Members noted a draft copy of the forward work programme reflecting a change to the time of the Committee’s evidence session on 16 December 2010.
2:35 pm Mr McLaughlin entered the meeting.
2:35 pm The meeting went into closed session.
5. Forward Work Programme – January – March 2011
Members were briefed by Mr Kieran Donnelly, C&AG on the list of reports available for selection by the Committee.
2:45 pm The deputy Chairperson declared an interest stating he works with a number of organisations in the community and voluntary sector.
The Committee considered a number of reports.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to conduct one evidence session on 10 February 2011 and selected the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report on ‘Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy’ and agreed to update the Committee’s web page.
6. NI Water
Correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel
Members noted correspondence from Mr Stephen Peover, Accounting Officer, Department of Finance and Personnel providing information requested by the Committee relating to its ongoing inquiry into NI Water.
Correspondence from NI Water
Members noted correspondence from Mr Laurence MacKenzie, Chief Executive, NI Water responding to an anonymous letter relating to concerns raised regarding procurement processes which were copied to the Committee.
Correspondence from the Department for Regional Development
Members noted correspondence from Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development providing the further information sought by the Committee in relation into its ongoing inquiry into NI Water.
3:27 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.
3:32 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek legal advice about the response.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to meet on Thursday 2 December 2010.
3:32 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.
7. Consideration of the Draft Committee Report on ‘Administration and Management of the Disability Living Allowance Reconsideration and Appeals Process'.
Paragraphs 1 - 3 read and agreed.
Paragraph 4 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraphs 5 - 13 read and agreed.
Recommendation 1 read and agreed.
3:57 pm Mr Irwin left the meeting.
Paragraphs 14 – 15 read and agreed.
Recommendation 2 read and agreed.
4:00 pm Mr Campbell left the meeting.
Paragraphs 16 – 19 read and agreed.
Recommendation 3 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 20 – 21 read and agreed.
Recommendation 4 read, amended and agreed.
Paragraphs 22 – 23 read and agreed.
Recommendation 5 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 24 – 26 read and agreed.
Recommendation 6 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 27 – 29 read and agreed.
Recommendation 7 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 30 – 32 read and agreed.
Recommendation 8 read and agreed.
Paragraphs 34 – 40 read and agreed.
Recommendation 9 read and agreed.
Consideration of the Executive Summary
Pages 1 – 3 read and agreed
Agreed: Members agreed the correspondence for inclusion in the report.
Agreed: Members ordered the report to be printed.
Agreed: Members agreed that the report would be embargoed until 00.01 am on Thursday, 16 December 2010.
Agreed: Members agreed to launch the report with a press release to be agreed at a later meeting.
6. Any other business
Members considered a memorandum on the recipient list and options for distribution of Christmas cards.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send an electronic copy of the card as detailed.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 9 December 2010 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:15 pm.
Mr Paul Maskey
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
9 December 2010.
11 November 10 / Menu
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