Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: Tuesday, 04 October 2011
Venue: Room 29
The meeting commenced at 1.33pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting. The Chairperson expressed his appreciation to the Comptroller and Auditor General and his colleagues for hosting a visit by himself and Mr Hilditch (Deputy Chairperson) to the NIAO on 30th September 2011.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies received.
2. Declaration of Interests
Members noted the ‘Declaration of Interests’ for each member of the Committee as published in the Register of Members’ Interests.
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 28th June 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 28th June 2011 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. NIAO Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011
Members noted the Clerk’s paper, the NIAO Annual Report and Accounts and the Audit Findings Report.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General; Ms Janet Sides, Assistant Auditor General; Mr Andrew Allen, Audit Manager; and Mr Joe Campbell, Audit Manager. The Chairperson invited Mr Donnelly to brief the Committee on the NIAO Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011.
1.45pm Ms Lo joined the meeting
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Mr Donnelly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the NIAO should draw to its attention any impact that efficiency savings may have on the NIAO’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives.
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Joanne Small, Audit and Assurance Partner; and Mr John Davin, Director, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore and invited them to brief the Committee on their Audit Findings report.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Ms Small and Mr Davin for attending the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the NIAO Annual Report and Accounts 2010-2011.
6. October Monitoring Round
Members noted the Clerk’s paper and the NIAO paper.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Donnelly and his colleagues back to the table and invited them to brief the Committee on the October Monitoring Round.
2.08pm Mr Hilditch joined the meeting
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Mr Donnelly and his colleagues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a breakdown of the NIAO’s anticipated expenditure on capital for the next meeting.
7. Presentation by the NIAO on the Scrutiny of Departmental Budgets
Members noted the NIAO paper on the scrutiny of budgets.
The Chairperson invited Mr Donnelly to brief the Committee on the Scrutiny of Departmental Budgets.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Mr Donnelly and his colleagues for attending the meeting.
8. Correspondence
Re-appointment of the External Auditor for the NIAO
The Committee noted that Baker Tilly Mooney Moore have accepted the extension of their contract, as External Auditor for the NIAO, for a further twelve month period.
9. Any other business
The Chairperson referred members to the tabled questionnaire on the potential use of electronic committee packs and requested that they complete it if they had not already done so in another Committee.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that future meetings of the Committee should commence at 1.00pm.
10. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Audit Committee will take place on Tuesday, 13th December 2011 at 1.00pm in room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.25pm.
Danny Kinahan
Chairperson Audit Committee