Minutes of Proceedings of the third meeting of the Public Accounts Committee held in The Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings on Thursday 19th September 2002

Members Present: Mr B Bell (Chairman)
Mr Murphy (Deputy Chairman)
Ms Armitage
Mr Beggs
Mr Close
Mr Hilditch
Mr Carrick
Mr McClelland

Apologies: Ms Morrice
Mr Dallat
Mr O'Connor

In Attendance: Mr P Carlisle (Clerk)
Mr J Campbell (Assistant Clerk)
Ms C Campbell (Admin Support)
Ms J Dickson (Admin Support

Open Session

The Committee met in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings, where it was considering the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report on "Compensation Payments for Clinical Negligence (NIA 112/01).
The Committee took evidence from the following officials: Mr Clive Gowdy, Permanent Secretary (DHSSPS), Dr Ian Carson, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Mr Andrew Hamilton, Director of Financial Management (DHSSPS) and Mr John Conway, Departmental Solicitor (DHSSPS).

Closed Session

A draft document, PAC Protocol for the Handling of Committee Papers and Matters Under Consideration by the Committee, was issued to members prior to the meeting.

Agreed

The protocol will be adopted subject to minor amendment.

The meeting closed at 12:45pm

B Bell
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee
9 October 2002