Minutes of Proceedings

2:01 pm The meeting opened in public session.

2:01 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2:02 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 3 October 2012

2:03 pm Mr McLaughlin entered the meeting.

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

Draft Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered the updated draft forward work programme for January – July 2013.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the programme and agreed to update its webpage.

4. Evidence on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘Police Service of Northern Ireland: Use of Agency Staff’

The Chairperson reminded members that Mr Ross Hussey had withdrawn from the Committee’s inquiry following his declared interest as he is chairman of the Audit Committee of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

2:07 pm Mr McKay and Mr McQuillan declared an interest stating that they were each former members of the Policing Board.

Mr Girvan declared an interest stating that that he has family members who are PSNI officers and/or were formerly RUC officers.

Mr Anderson declared an interest stating that he has family members who are PSNI officers and/or were formerly RUC officers.

Mr Copeland declared an interest stating that he is married to a former police officer.

Ms Boyle declared an interest stating that she was also a former chairperson of the Community Safety Partnership and a former member of the Strabane District Policing Partnership.

The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:

• Mr Matt Baggott, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI);

• Mr Joe Stewart, Director of Human Resources, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI);

• Mr David Best, Director of Finance and Support Services, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI);

• Mr Michael Cox, Deputy Director of Human Resources,  Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI); and

• Mr Jason Kennedy, Chief Executive, Grafton Recruitment.

3:03 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.

3:20 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.

3:06 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

3:24 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.

3:25 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

3:30 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.

3:44 pm Mr McKay left the meeting.

3:49 pm Mr McKay entered the meeting.

4:02 pm Mr Rogers left the meeting.

4:06 pm Mr Rogers entered the meeting.

4:15 pm Mr Copeland and Mr Rogers left the meeting.

4:19 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.

4:24 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.

4:26 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

4:27 pm Mr Anderson left the meeting.

4:55 pm Mr Anderson entered the meeting.

4:58 pm Mr Rogers entered the meeting.

The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further information from the witnesses.

5. Any other business

Elephant in the Boardroom

The Chairperson briefed the Committee on an invitation she has received to attend this event on behalf of the Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Deputy Chairperson should attend the event in the Chairperson’s absence.

6. Date, time and place of next meeting 

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5 December 2012 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5:16 pm.

Ms Michaela Boyle
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
5 December 2012