Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2009/2010

Date: 03 December 2009

Present: 
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson)
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr John Dallat 
Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP 
Mr David Hilditch 
Mr Trevor Lunn
Mr Patsy McGlone
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin 
Ms Dawn Purvis
Mr Jim Shannon

In Attendance:
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Phil Pateman (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Darren Weir (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:

The meeting opened at 2.00 pm in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Matters arising
Press Release on ‘Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit Ltd’.

Members noted the proposed press release for the Committee report on ‘Irish Sport Horse Genetic Testing Unit Ltd: Transfer and Disposal of Assets’.

Agreed: Members agreed to launch the proposed press release to coincide with the report on 10 December 2009.

Press Release on ‘Review of New Deal 25+’.

Members noted the proposed press release for the Committee report on ‘Review of New Deal 25+’.

Agreed: Members agreed to launch the proposed press release to coincide with the report on 17 December 2009.

2:03 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting

Correspondence from Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, DHSSPS

Members noted correspondence from Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, DHSSPS relating to a request for further information by the Committee.

2:05 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
2:10 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting

3. Evidence Session on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘The Performance of the Planning Service’.

Mr David Hilditch declared an interest as he is currently a member of Carrickfergus Borough Council’s Transition Committee for the Review of Public Administration.

2:15 pm Mr Dallat and Mr Donaldson entered the meeting
2:35 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting
2:38 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting
2:55 pm Mr Craig left the meeting
3:13 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting
3:18 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting

The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:

  • Mr Leo O’Reilly, Accounting Officer, Department of the Environment
  • Ms Cynthia Smith, Chief Executive, Planning Service
  • Ms Marianne Fleming, Director of Corporate Services, Planning Service
  • Mr Tom Clarke, Director of Strategic Planning, Planning Service

3:26 pm Mr Hilditch left the meeting
3:37 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting
3:37 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting
3:45 pm Mr Donaldson entered the meeting
3:48 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting
4:04 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting
4:05 pm Mr Donaldson left the meeting
4:10 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting
4:13 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting
4:16 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting
4:17 pm Ms Purvis left the meeting
4:27 pm Mr Hilditch entered the meeting

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

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

4. Minutes of the meeting on 26 November 2009

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.

5. Any other business

The Committee agreed to send paper Christmas cards to eight recipients in the name of the Committee and signed on its behalf by the Chairperson.

6. Date, time and venue of the next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm.

Paul Maskey
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee.
10 December 2009