Minutes of Proceedings

Present: 
Mr Paul Maskey (Chairperson) 
Mr Roy Beggs (Deputy Chairperson) 
Mr Gregory Campbell 
Mr John Dallat 
Mr Trevor Lunn 
Mr Patsy McGlone 
Mr Mitchel McLaughlin 
Mr Adrian McQuillan 
Ms Dawn Purvis

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

Apologies: 
Mr William Irwin 
Mr Stephen Moutray

1:03 pm The meeting opened in closed session.

1:03 pm Mr McLaughlin entered the meeting.

The Committee agreed to conduct the meeting in closed session to discuss matters relating to the development of its draft report into the NI Water inquiry.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Minutes of the meeting of 16 September 2010

The minutes of the meetings were agreed.

3. NI Water

Correspondence from Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development

Members noted correspondence received from Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Accounting Officer, Department for Regional Development providing the further information requested by the Committee relating to staff substitutions.

1:06 pm Mr Campbell and Mr McGlone entered the meeting.

1:08 pm Ms Purvis entered the meeting.

Correspondence from Mr Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service

Members noted correspondence from Mr Bruce Robinson, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service relating to the investigation being undertaken in respect of Mr Paul Priestly’s suspension.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider a draft letter to Mr Robinson at its next meeting to clarify some points raised.

Correspondence from Rodgers Contracts

Members noted correspondence from Mr Tony McGovern, Managing Director, Rodgers Contracts relating to procurement practices at NI Water.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to acknowledge Mr McGovern’s letter and to forward it to the Northern Ireland Audit Office for investigation and if relevant to address implications for the current enquiry from the letter.

Correspondence from R Conway and J J Flood

Members noted correspondence from R Conway and J J Flood relating to their ongoing dispute with NI Water regarding the installation of a water meter at their business premises.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this item of correspondence to the Committee for Regional Development for its consideration.

FOI Updates

The Chairperson updated the Committee that some Members have information obtained by Freedom of Information and this will be distributed once it has been received in its entirety.

3. Any other business

Members noted a memorandum from the Clerk to the Committee for Regional Development requesting certain papers pertaining to the NI Water enquiry.

4. Date, time and place of next meeting

The Committee will meet again on Thursday 23 September 2010, at 2:00 pm in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.

2:07 pm The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Mr Paul Maskey 
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee 
23 September 2010