PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2011
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Gregory Campbell MP
Mr John Dallat
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin
Mr Adrian McQuillan

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 Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr William Irwin
Mr Stephen Moutray
Ms Dawn Purvis

2:03 pm The meeting opened in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 15 February 2011.

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed. 

3. Matters arising

Correspondence from DEL

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Alan Shannon, Accounting Officer, Department for Employment and Learning regarding the further information sought by the Committee after its evidence session on ‘Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy’.

4. MOR

Members considered the Memorandum of Reply to the Committee report on ‘The Administration and Management of the Disability Living Allowance Reconsideration and Appeals Process’.

2:07 pm Mr Campbell entered the meeting.
2:12 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.
2:17 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.
2:21 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.
2:25 pm Mr McQuillan entered the meeting.

Members put a number of questions to Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to clarify in correspondence certain details of the response.

5. NIAO – Excess Votes 2009 – 2010

The Committee were briefed by the C&AG on the issue of Excess Votes.

2:50 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting.

Agreed : Members agreed to consider the draft report on Excess Votes in closed session.

2:53 pm Mr Lunn entered the meeting.
3.08 pm The Committee went into closed session.

6. Northern Ireland Audit Office Estimate 2011-12

Members were briefed by Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller & Auditor General on the NIAO Estimate for 2011-12.

Members noted the NIAO estimate for 2011-12.

5. Excess Votes 2009 – 2010

The Committee considered the draft Committee Report on Excess Votes.

3:21 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.

Paragraphs 1 – 9 read and agreed.

3:25 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.

Paragraphs 10 – 12 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 13 – 19 read and agreed.

Agreed : The Committee agreed the summary of the report, recommending that the next PAC examine the matters raised in paras 10-2, and ordered it to be printed.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to request related information from the Treasury Officer of Accounts.

7. Press Release on ‘Measuring the Performance of NI Water and Procurement and Governance in NI Water’.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft press release.

8. Any other business

Leak Inquiry

The Committee were briefed by Mr John Stewart, Director of Clerking and Reporting on the findings of his inquiry into the leaking of the NI Water report.

Members put a number of questions to Mr Stewart.

Agreed: The Committee asked Mr Stewart to examine options for further lines of inquiry.

4:06 pm Mr Campbell left the meeting.

9. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 March 2011 at 2:00 pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:10 pm.

Mr Paul Maskey
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
10 March 2011

15 February 11 / Menu