Minutes of proceedings of the eleventh meeting
of the Public Accounts Committee
held in Room 152, Parliament Buildings
on Wednesday 15^th November 2000

1. Apologies
2. Minutes from previous meetings
3. Matters Arising
4. Presentation from Mr John Dowdall
5. Any other business

Present: Mr B Bell (Chairman)
Mr R Beggs
Mr M Carrick
Mr S Close
Mr J Dallat
Mr D Hilditch
Mr Donovan McClelland

In Attendance: Mr M Rickard (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Campbell (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss L Tracey

Apologies Ms S Ramsey (Deputy Chairman)
Ms P Armitage
Ms J Morrice

Prior to commencement of business, the Chairman welcomed Mr. Dowdall, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), and his staff.

Following this introduction, the Chairperson turned to the order of business.

Apologies were received from Ms S Ramsey and Ms P Armitage due to prior engagements.

The minutes were an accurate record of the previous meetings.

The C&AG, Mr Raymond Jones (Assistant Auditor General) and Ms Ursula Moyna briefed the Committee on the Report. During the presentation they addressed a number of queries raised by the members.

The Administration of Income Support Benefit - All members were issued with a copy of the published PAC Report on The Administration of Income Support Benefit and the corresponding Draft Press Release. The Press Release was reviewed and approved by the Committee. It was drawn to the attention of members that that there is an embargo on the Report and Press Release until Tuesday 21^st November and therefore it could not be discussed or made available to other committees until this date.

Pay Flexibilities for School Principals and Vice Principals - Copies of the NIAO Report on "Pay Flexibilities for School Principals and Vice Principals" were also issued to all members present. Once again it was stressed that there was an embargo on the document until 17/11/00.

Date of next meeting - The next meeting is to held at 10.20am on Thursday 23^rd November in the Senate Chamber- members should aim to be present 10-15 minutes beforehand.

The meeting closed at 11:45am