PRESS RELEASE
25 February 2009
PR/08/08/09
PAC AGREES GREATER CO-OPERATION WITH OPPOSITE IN DUBLIN
The NI Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, after informal meetings, has agreed to greater co-operation with its opposite number in Dublin when scrutinising the work of the North/South Bodies.
The Assembly Committee will take evidence in public on 12 March 2009 on InterTradeIreland and the Special EU Programmes Body, and the Dail Committee will take evidence on Tourism Ireland and Waterways Ireland on 2 April 2009.
Speaking about the discussions, Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Paul Maskey MLA commented, “As a committee we are very pleased with the outcome of our recent meeting with the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts. Both committees are committed to ensuring that monies spent by the North/South Bodies are properly accounted for and provide the public with effective, efficient and value for money activities.
“We believe that this common programme of work is just a beginning and we are actively considering ways in which greater co-operation can be achieved on the scrutiny of the North/South Bodies.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Standing Orders under Section 60(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 have provided for the establishment of the Public Accounts Committee (the Committee). The main statutory function of the Committee is to consider accounts and the reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (C&AG) laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- The C&AG is head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) and is empowered to investigate any area of expenditure and has a statutory right of access to all files and papers in Departments and public bodies.
The PAC Committee members are:-
Alliance |
Mr Trevor Lunn |
Democratic Unionist Party |
Mr Jim Shannon 6 |
Mr Jonathan Craig |
|
Mr George Robinson 7 |
|
Mr Jim Wells 3,4,5 |
|
Sinn Fein |
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson) 2 |
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin |
|
Social Democratic and Labour Party |
Mr John Dallat Mr Thomas Burns 1 |
Ulster Unionist Party |
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson) |
Progressive Unionist Party |
Ms Dawn Purvis |
1 With effect from 04 March 2008 Mr Thomas Burns replaced Mr Patsy McGlone.
2 With effect from 20 May 2008 Mr Paul Maskey replaced Mr John O'Dowd.
3 With effect from 1 October 2007 Mr Mickey Brady replaced Mr Willie Clarke.
4 With effect from 21 January 2008 Mr Ian McCrea replaced Mr Mickey Brady.
5 With effect from Tuesday 27 May 08 Mr Jim Wells replaced Mr Ian McCrea.
6 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr Shannon replaced Mr David Hilditch.
7 With effect from Monday, 15 September 08 Mr Robinson replaced Mr Simon Hamilton
Media enquiries to:
Debra Savage,
Information Office, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. BT4 3XX
Tel. 028 90521405
Mobile 07920 864221
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk Website archive.niassembly.gov.uk