Minutes of proceedings of the tenth meetingof the Public Accounts Committee held in Room 144, Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 7th November 2000
Present: Public Accounts Committee
Mr B Bell (Chairman)
Ms S Ramsey (Deputy Chairperson)
Ms P Armitage
Mr R Beggs
Mr M Carrick
Mr S Close
Ms J Morrice
Audit Committee
Mr John Dallat (Chairperson)
Mr Billy Hutchinson (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Derek Hussey
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Mark Robinson
In Attendance: Mr M Rickard (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Campbell (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Miss L Tracey
Apologies Mr David Hilditch
1. Closed Session
The meeting commenced at 10:30am with a closed session of thirty minutes. During this, the Public Accounts Chairman, Mr Billy Bell, welcomed the Audit Committee to what was a historic occasion - the first joint meeting of the Public Accounts Committee and the Audit Committee. He explained that the purpose of the closed session was to give the C&AG the opportunity to brief both Committees on the Government Resources and Accounts Bill (GRAB) and its implications for both PAC and the Audit Committee, prior to the Minister's presentation. Mr Dallat, the Chairman of the Audit Committee concurred with Mr Bell's sentiments.
Following the introduction Mr Dowdall, the Comptroller and Auditor General, was invited to give his presentation on the legislation. He outlined the intentions of the legislation and addressed a number of queries and concerns raised by the members present.
2. Public Session
At 11:00am the Minister and his staff were invited to join the meeting. Both Chairmen welcomed the Minister to the meeting. He was then invited to give his presentation to the Committees on the draft bill. On completion of the presentation, a lively Question and Answer Session took place.
Following the Question and Answer Session both Chairmen undertook to keep a watching brief on progress both at Westminster and in the Assembly in order to ensure that C&AG has the power to scrutinise all public expenditure. They thanked the Minister, the NIAO staff and the Committee staff for their input to what was an excellent meeting.
3. Closed Session
The Meeting convened at 12:05pm following which the Minister and his staff and the Audit Committee members left the room. However, the PAC members and the C&AG and his staff were requested to remain on for a further closed session. During this session the Clerk reported that both DARD and DOE Accounting Officers had responded to queries in respect of the forthcoming Evidence Session on "Control of River Pollution in Northern Ireland". In light of the responses, it was proposed and agreed that the Committee should release the DARD Accounting Officer from attending the session.
It was drawn to the attention of members that the next meeting will be held at 10:30am in Room 152 on 15th November for a briefing on the NIAO Report "Control of River Pollution in Northern Ireland". The meeting closed at 12:15pm
William B Bell
Committee Chairman
15 November 2000
