PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 13 JANUARY 2011
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Gregory Campbell MP MLA
Mr John Dallat
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Stephen Moutray

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

Apologies:
Mr William Irwin
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Adrian McQuillan

2:01 pm The meeting opened in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 16 December 2010

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed. 

3. Matters arising

Correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Services

Members noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety highlighting concerns raised by Randox Laboratories Ltd regarding the outcome of a regional laboratory tender.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the C&AG should continue to investigate the matter and update the Committee on the conclusions he has reached when he makes his annual general health report.

2:06 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

Correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel

Members noted correspondence from Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts, Department of Finance and Personnel relating to the Annual Fraud and Theft Report for 2009-2010.

2:09 pm Ms Purvis entered the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the report to the Committee for Finance and Personnel for its consideration.

Correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel

Members noted correspondence from Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts, Department of Finance and Personnel detailing the current and previous retention policies for paper and electronic files for the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Departmental Solicitors Office.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel highlighting its concerns.

2:26 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
2:28 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting.
2:29 pm Mr Lunn entered the meeting.
2:30 pm The meeting went into closed session.

Correspondence from Quarry Products Association (NI) Limited

Members noted correspondence from Mr Gordon Best, Regional Director, Quarry Products Association (NI) Limited seeking the Committee’s view on the miscalculation of mineral planning application fees by the Planning Service.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the issues highlighted fall outside of the Committee’s remit but agreed to formally respond to Mr Best and to forward his letter to the Environment Committee for its consideration.

4. Issues arising from the oral evidence session on the NIAO Report on ‘Arrangements for Ensuring the Quality of Care in Homes for Older People’

2:37 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

Members considered an issues paper from the oral evidence session on ‘Arrangements for Ensuring the Quality of Care in Homes for Older People’.

5. Any other business

Audit Office Efficiency Savings

Members considered a draft letter to the Northern Ireland Audit Office regarding efficiency savings.

2:41 pm Mr Beggs left the meeting.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to forward the letter as drafted subject to one amendment.

Northern Ireland Audit Office/Department of Finance and Personnel Procurement Conference

Members noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Audit Office inviting the Chairperson to speak at the conference.

2:51 pm Mr Campbell left the meeting.

Agreed : The Committee agree that the Chairperson should speak at the event on its behalf.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to launch the NI Water report with a media pre-brief in advance of the conference.

Correspondence from the Department of Finance and Personnel

Members noted correspondence from Mr Stephen Peover, Accounting Officer, Department of Finance and Personnel advising the Committee that Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts will transfer to a new role with immediate effect.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to respond to Mr Peover recognising Ms Hamill’s work and highlighting its concerns that a successor to her role has not been appointed in the interim.

Northern Ireland Water

The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee will consider its report on ‘Procurement Governance at NI Water’ at its meeting on 20 January 2011.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request an update from the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and DRD/NI Water on investigations into conduct related to the inquiry.

6. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 January 2011 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3:00 pm.

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

16 December 10 / Menu