Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 07 November 2012
Venue: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings
2:00 pm The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2:01 pm Mr Girvan and Mr McLaughlin entered the meeting.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 24 October 2012
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Correspondence from Mr Samuel Gardiner MLA
The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Samuel Gardiner MLA supporting a submission from a Mr W H Jones regarding a matter previously considered by the Committee relating to the Rath and Listed Grange site in Waringstown.
2:06 pm Mr Anderson declared an interest stating that he is a Councillor for Craigavon Borough Council.
2:08 pm Mr Clarke entered the meeting.
Agreed: Since the detail of Mr Jones’s submission falls outside its remit the Committee agreed not to pursue the matter and further agreed to formally write to Mr Gardiner and Mr Jones.
Correspondence from the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister
The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister seeking a view on legislative proposals to extend the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman to cover the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission and the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the correspondence supporting the proposal.
4. Briefing on Northern Ireland Audit Office Reports on ‘The Safety of Services Provided by Health and Social Care Trusts’
The Committee considered the above report on ‘The Safety of Services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts’.
Mr Kieran Donnelly Comptroller and Auditor General; Mr Sean McKay, Director; Ms Claire Dornan, Audit Manager; and Joe Campbell, Audit Manager briefed the Committee on the report.
2:18 pm The meeting went into closed session after the C&AG’s initial remarks.
2:31 pm Mr Girvan declared an interest stating that he has family members in the medical profession and nursing.
3:09 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
3:10 pm Mr Anderson declared an interest stating that he has family members who are employed by Social Services.
3:15 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
3:17 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
3:18 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.
3:24 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.
3:26 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
3:27 pm Mr Clarke left the meeting.
3:27 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
3:46 pm Mr Clarke entered the meeting.
The witnesses answered a number of questions put by members.
5. Issues Arising from the Oral Evidence Session on ‘Statement of Rate Levy and Collection 2009-10 and 2010-11’
3:46 pm Mr Clarke entered the meeting.
The Committee considered and added to an issues paper relating to the evidence session held on 24 October 2012.
4:02 pm Mr McKay left the meeting.
6. Any other business
Distribution of NIAO Reports
The C&AG put his general report in context and undertook to provide earlier embargoed copies of NIAO reports to the secretariat for members.
4:02 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:05 pm.
Mr John Dallat
Deputy Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
14 November 2012
