PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2010
THE SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat
Mr William Irwin
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Adrian McQuillan

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

Apologies:
Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Stephen Moutray
Ms Dawn Purvis

1:33 pm The meeting opened in public session .

1. Apologies.

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 9 December 2010

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed

3. Evidence Session on the Audit Office Report ‘Arrangements for Ensuring the Quality of Care in Homes for Older People’.

1:36 pm Mr McLaughlin declared an interest stating that his wife works in a care home and is employed by the Western Trust.

1:36 pm Mr Lunn declared an interest stating that his sister-in-law works in a nursing home.

1:50 pm Mr Beggs declared an interest stating that a family member runs a small care home in the Western Trust.

The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:

• Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS);
• Dr Jim Livingstone, Director of Safety Quality and Standards, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS);
• Mr Glenn Houston, Chief Executive, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS);

1:41 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.

2:19 pm Mr Irwin left the meeting.

2:23 pm Mr Irwin entered the meeting.

3:11 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.

3:12 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

3:15 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

3:18 pm Mr Beggs left the meeting.

3:24 pm Mr Irwin left the meeting.

3:27 pm Mr Irwin entered the meeting.

The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.

3:30 pm The meeting went into closed session .

4. NI Water

Correspondence from the Department for Regional Development

Members noted correspondence from Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development relating to a recent article published in the Institute of Internal Audit’s magazine.

Agreed : The Committee agreed that the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson should meet the Accounting Officer regarding official commentary in the media during PAC inquiries in the context of this article.

Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Audit Office

Members noted correspondence from Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office highlighting some findings from the papers he obtained from the Independent Review Team.

Members noted correspondence from Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office to Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development which was copied to the Committee relating to the clearance times of the Audit Office’s Memo on the ‘Re-examination of Procurement Breaches in NI Water’.

5. Any other business

Correspondence from the Audit Committee

Members noted correspondence from Jonathan Craig, Chairperson of the Audit Committee to Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office which was copied to the Committee regarding efficiency savings for the Audit Office over the next budget period.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider a draft letter on the matter at its next meeting.

Work in Progress

Members noted a memo from the Clerk to the Committee detailing the allegations by whistleblowers and other correspondents currently being investigated by the Audit Office.

Correspondence from the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure relating to concerns highlighted by the Sheridan Group regarding Odyssey Trust Company Ltd.

Shared Space

The Chairperson briefed the Committee that the November 2010 issue of ‘Shared Space’ had been received and was available for Members to view in the Committee office.

6. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 13 January 2011 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3:50 pm.

Mr Paul Maskey
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
13 January 2011.

09 December 10 / Menu