Minutes of Proceedings of the second meeting of the Public Accounts Committee held in Room 152, Parliament Buildings on Wednesday 11th September 2002
Members Present: Mr B Bell (Chairman)
Mr Murphy
Ms Armitage
Mr Beggs
Mr Carrick
Mr Close
Mr Hilditch
Mr McClelland
Mr O'Connor
Apologies: Mr Dallat
Ms Morrice
In Attendance: Mr P Carlisle (Committee Clerk)
Mr J Campbell (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr J Dowdall (C&AG)
Mr R Jones (Assistant Auditor General)
Mr B Edgar (NIAO)
Mr T Woodhouse (NIAO)
Ms C Campbell
Ms J Dickson
Mr M Rickard
1. Introduction
The Chairman commenced proceedings by welcoming Mr John Dowdall, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), and his staff. Following his introduction, he updated the Committee on the ongoing discussions concerning the movement of Committee Clerks. He informed members that he was still awaiting a ruling on the Committee motion, submitted to the Business Office following the meeting of 5th September, concerning the transfer of Clerks. He also informed members that a meeting had been held on 9th September between himself, the Deputy Chair, the Clerk of the Assembly and the Speaker. At that meeting, it was agreed that:
- the Speaker would deal with the issue of the Transfer of Clerks in the first meeting of the Assembly Commission on 17th September;
- the Chairmen of DETI and PAC Committees would attend the Assembly Commission meeting to discuss the issue;
- the Speaker would propose to the Commission to postpone the movement of Committee Clerks until the Christmas Recess.
Agreed
The Committee would take no further action on this issue until the Commission meeting on 17th September.
The Chairman then turned to the order of business.
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr Dallat and Ms Morrice.
3. Minutes of Meetings of 4th July 2002, 8th August 2002 and 5th September 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 Compensation Payments for Clinical Negligence (NIA 112/02)
Following a brief introduction by the C&AG, Mr Edgar and Mr Woodhouse gave a presentation detailing the main issues to be dealt with in the forthcoming evidence session on Compensation Payments for Clinical Negligence.
Following the presentations, they addressed a number of queries raised by the members
5. Legal Representation at Public Expense
Due to interest expressed by members in the issue of legal representation at public expense, the C&AG had produced a paper outlining procedures in place within the public sector. The C&AG addressed a number of queries raised by the members.
6. Paper from C&AG on the Protocol for handling Committee documents
As agreed in the meeting of 4th July, a draft protocol document was produced which was discussed by members.
Agreed
The principals in the draft protocol should be adopted immediately.
Agreed
A PAC document detailing the protocol for handling committee documents will be produced for the next meeting.
7. Review of Benelux
The C&AG had been asked at the meeting of 4th July to prepare an informal briefing for members on the Benelux Project which had been funded by IDB.
Agreed
A briefing will take place on Wednesday 18th September at 11:30am
8. Draft Letters to be approved
Agreed
The following letters should be issued
Letter to Mr G McGinn re: Building Maintenance in the Education and Library Boards
Letter to Mr Pat Carvill, DFP, re: Safe Custody of Works of Art in Departmental ownership
9. Briefing of Northern Ireland Tourist Board Report by Mr M Rickard
The Committee was updated by Mr Rickard on the progress of the Committee Report on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Agreed
Preliminary draft paragraphs will be circulated to members next week, following which feedback and suggestions will be sought.
The meeting was drawn to a close at 12:20pm.
B Bell
Committee Chairman
2002
