Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 10 April 2013
Venue: Room 29, Parliament Buildings
2:15 pm The meeting opened in public session.
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on the interference caused by 3G electronic devices to Assembly recording and broadcast. The Chairperson also noted that electronic devices are in any case very distracting and have been banned from one of the statutory Committees.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to endeavour to avoid using devices during meetings to maintain focus on Committee work.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Inquiry on 'PSNI: Use of Agency Staff'
Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts briefed the Committee on the contents of her correspondence of 6 and 15 February and reflected on correspondence of 28 February received from the PSNI.
Correspondence from PSNI
The Committee agreed to consider two items of correspondence dated 28 and 29 March from the PSNI in closed session.
2:36 pm Hansard officials left the meeting.
5. Briefing on 'DFP Annual Theft and Fraud Report 2011-2012'
Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts and Ms Alison Caldwell, DFP briefed the Committee on the content of the 'DFP Annual Theft and Fraud Report 2011-2012'.
3:07 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
3:17 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek further clarification on some of the information contained within the report.
6. Memorandum of Reply
The Committee considered the memorandum of reply to the Committee's previous reports on 'Statement of Rate Levy and Collection 2009-10 and 2010-11'.
Members put a number of questions to Ms Fiona Hamill, Treasury Officer of Accounts, Department of Finance and Personnel.
3:25 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.
3:40 pm Mr Copeland and Mr McKay left the meeting.
Ms Hamill undertook to clarify in writing some information contained in the MOR.
7. Briefing on NIAO Report on 'Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight' and 'Report on Accounts 2011-2012'
Mr Kieran Donnelly Comptroller and Auditor General; and Joe Campbell, Audit Manager came to the table.
The Committee considered the above report on 'Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service: An Organisational Assessment and Review of Departmental Oversight' and 'Report on Accounts 2011-2012'.
3:47 pm Mr Clarke and Mr Girvan declared an interested stating that they know an individual named within the report.
Ms Louise Mason, Assistant Auditor General; and Ms Jacqueline O'Brien, Audit Manager; briefed the Committee on the report.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 20 March 2013
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3:54 pm The meeting went into closed session.
Mr Donnelly, Ms Mason and Ms O'Brien answered detailed questions from Committee members on the report.
4:17 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting. The meeting was inquorate for decisions.
4:45 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.
4:46 pm Mr McKay left the meeting.
4:58 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.
4:59 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
5:03 pm Mr Clarke left the meeting. The meeting was entirely inquorate.
5:19 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.
8. Any other business
Draft Press Release
The Chairperson advised that a draft press release for its forthcoming report on 'The Safety of Services Provided by Health and Social Care Trusts' would be circulated electronically for approval since the meeting was inquorate.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5:25 pm.
