Minutes of Proceedings

Present: 
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson) 
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson)
The Lord Browne 
Mr John Dallat 
Mr David Hilditch 
Mr Trevor Lunn 
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin 
Mr Patsy McGlone 
Ms Dawn Purvis
Mr Jim Shannon MP

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

Apologies: 
Mr Stephen Moutray

2:03 pm The meeting opened in public session.

2:04 pm Mr Hilditch entered the meeting.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Evidence Session on the NI Audit Office Report ‘Measuring the Performance of NI Water’ .

The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:

• Mr Paul Priestly, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development (DRD);
• Mr John Mills, Director of Water Policy Division, Department for Regional Development (DRD);
• Mr Laurence McKenzie, Chief Executive, NI Water;
• Mr George Butler, Director of Asset Management, NI Water;
• Mr Iain Osborne, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation; and
• Mrs Jo Aston, Director of Water Regulation, NIAUR.

2:19 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.

2:20 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.

2:23 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.

2:30 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

2:34 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.

2:42 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

2:51 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.

2:59 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.

3:05 pm Mr Shannon entered the meeting.

3:10 pm Ms Purvis left the meeting.

3:17 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

3:20 pm Ms Purvis entered the meeting.

3:40 pm Mr Hilditch left the meeting.

3:55 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.

4:05 pm Mr McGlone entered the meeting.

4:18 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.

4:24 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.

4:40 pm Mr Shannon left the meeting.

4:47 pm Mr McGlone left the meeting.

4:55 pm Mr Lunn left the meeting.

5:03 pm Mr McLaughlin left the meeting.

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

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

3. Minutes of the meeting on 17 June 2010

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed. 

7. Any other business.

Correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Members noted correspondence from the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Agreed: Members agreed to forward the letter to the Northern Ireland Audit Office for investigation as requested.

Draft Press Release on North/South Bodies

Members considered and agreed the draft press release for the Committee’s forthcoming report on ‘North/South Bodies’.

Correspondence from the Northern Ireland Audit Office

Member noted correspondence from Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General providing an update to the Committee for the attention of the Regional Development Committee.

Agreed: Members agreed to forward the correspondence to the Committee for Regional Development.

Motion for Debate

Members considered the topics for debate on 29 June 2010.

5:07 pm The meeting went into closed session.

Inquiry into Procurement and Governance in NI Water

Members noted correspondence from a former Chairman of Northern Ireland Water offering to attend and support the Committee’s forthcoming evidence session on ‘The Governance of NI Water’.

Agreed: Members agreed that this would not be necessary and agreed to invite the letterwriter to submit written information to the Committee.

8. Date, time and place of next meeting

On Thursday, 1 July 2010 a lunchtime briefing will be held at 12:30 pm in Room 375 prior to the evidence session at 2:00 pm in The Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5:12 pm.

Mr Paul Maskey 
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee 
1 July 2010.