1. Introduction
2. Apologies
3. Minutes from Meeting of 7^th November 2001
4. Presentation by Mr. John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General
5. DFP Consultation Document "Audit and Accountability"
6. Ministerial Direction on the Gas Pipelines
7. Any Other Business

Present:
Mr B Bell (Chairman)
Mr Beggs
Mr Carrick
Mr Close
Mr Hilditch
Ms Ramsey

Apologies
Ms Armitage
Mr Dallat
Ms Morrice
Mr McClelland
Mr O'Connor

In Attendance:
Mr M Rickard (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Campbell (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Ms J Duffin

1. Introduction

The Chairman commenced proceedings by welcoming Mr. John Dowdall, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and his staff to the meeting. He proceeded to outline the objectives of the meeting as:

• To agree the Minutes of the Meeting of 07.11.01

• To receive a presentation from the C&AG and his staff on the NIAO Report on "A Review of Pathology Laboratories in Northern Ireland (NIA 31/00)" and

• To discuss and approve the draft Committee response to the DFP Consultation Document "Audit and Accountability".

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

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from, Ms Armitage, Mr Dallat, Ms Morrice, Mr McClelland and Mr O'Connor

3. Minutes from Meeting of 7^th November 2001

Agreed

The minutes were an accurate reflection of the meeting.

4. Presentation by Mr. John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff on the NIAO Report "A Review of Pathology Laboratories in Northern Ireland (NIA 31/00)

Mr Edgar gave the Committee a presentation detailing the main issues in the Report. Following the presentation the C&AG, Mr Edgar and Mr Woodhouse answered a number of queries raised by the members. They also outlined the type of questions to be asked in order to draw out conclusions and recommendations for the subsequent PAC Report.

5. DFP Consultation Document "Audit and Accountability"

The Chairman drew the members attention to the draft response, prepared and circulated prior to the meeting, to the DFP Consultation Document "Audit and Accountability". The C&AG briefed the Committee on the main issues which needed to be addressed within the response

Agreed

The draft response should be forwarded to DFP as the Committee's formal reply to the consultation document.

6. Ministerial Direction on the Gas Pipelines

The Chairman informed members that he had received correspondence from the C&AG drawing to his attention that the Accounting Officer of Enterprise, Trade and Investment had sought and received a Ministerial Direction for the Gas Pipeline Project, announced by the Minister, Sir Reg Empey on 21^st September 2001.

The C&AG reported that he was satisfied that correct procedures had been followed. However, he intended to review the Economic Appraisal of the project and would be reporting back to the Committee as soon as possible.

7. Any Other Business
   
   

Malone Lodge Hotel

The Chairman referred to correspondence from the Lower Malone Residents Association concerning the issue of a grant of £450,000 from the NI Tourist Board to the Malone Lodge Hotel.

Agreed

The C&AG was asked to investigate and report back to the Committee on this matter.

Annual Review

The Chairman confirmed that the annual review session would take place in the Stormont Hotel on Thursday 13^th December. He informed members that further details would be forwarded to members in due course.

Evidence Session

The next meeting will be held at 10:20am on Thursday 29^th November in the Senate Chamber where the Committee will take evidence on the NIAO Report on "A Review of Pathology Laboratories in Northern Ireland (NIA 31/00)".

The meeting was then drawn to a close at 11:45am.

B Bell
Committee Chairman
9 January 2002