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PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
Minutes of Proceedings of the sixteenth meeting 1. Introduction Members Present: Mr B Bell (Chairman) In Attendance: Mr M Rickard (Committee Clerk) The Chairman commenced proceedings by welcoming Mr John Dowdall, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and his staff and Christine Darragh, Clerk to the Education Committee, to the meeting. He also introduced the Committee to Ms Jennifer Dickson and Ms Carla Campbell, the new support staff to the Committee. Following this introduction, the Chairman turned to the order of business. An apology was received from Ms Morrice. 3. Minutes of Meetings of 20th February 2002 and 25th February 2002 Agreed. The minutes accurately represented the business of the Committee. 4. Briefing by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr John Dowdall, and his team on the NIAO Report on Indicators of Educational Performance and Provision (NIA 48/01) The C&AG gave a brief outline on what he considered to be the main conclusions drawn from the Report. Following the C&AG's introduction, Mr Edgar (NIAO Director) gave a presentation, which detailed the main issues in the Report. Following the presentation he addressed a number of queries raised by the members. 5. Clearance of PAC Draft Report and Press Release on Road Openings by Utilities Mr John Dowdall, Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) was further examined Ordered, that the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph. Para 1 read and agreed to Para 2 read and agreed to subject to amendment Para 3 read and agreed to Paras 4.1 to 5.2 postponed Paras 6 to 18 read and agreed to Para 19 read and agreed to subject to amendment Paras 20 to 33 read and agreed to Paras 4.1 to 5.2 read and agreed to subject to changes made to reflect amendments agreed in Main Report Agreed. The press release should be issued in the form submitted, subject to minor amendment. 6. DFP Memorandum of Reply to the PAC Report on the Outbreak of Brucellosis at the Agricultural Research Institute Agreed The Committee welcomed the positive response in the DFP Memorandum on the Outbreak of Brucellosis at the Agricultural Research Institute. 7. Issues arising from Committee Correspondence The departmental responses to the Committee correspondence on Agreed. Response from DFP regarding Safe Custody of Works of Art in Departmental Ownership Agreed. Agreed. Agreed. N.I. Events Company Stormont (NIEC) Concert The C&AG was requested by the Committee to carry out a review of the activities of the NIEC, given the current concern over the £100k grant to fund the Rod Stewart concert at Stormont, and to report back to the Committee with his findings. Social Security Agency Fraud The issue of a £300,000 SSA fraud, highlighted in local newspapers was raised. The C&AG confirmed that SSA had made him aware of the fraud at an early stage and all reporting procedures were adhered to. Agreed. Agricultural Fraud Agreed. Washington Visit The Chairman informed the Committee that he contacted the Speakers Office, indicating that the first 2 weeks in June would be most suitable for the PAC to visit Washington. However, no response had been forthcoming. Any Other Business Agreed. Committee Timetable The Chairman confirmed that the next meeting will be held at 10.30am Wednesday 24th April 2002 in the Senate Chamber where it will be taking evidence from Gerry McGinn and his team on Indicators of Educational Performance and Provision. The meeting was then drawn to a close at 12.25pm. B Bell |
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