Minutes of Proceedings

2:01pm The meeting opened in public session.

1. Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2. Introduction/Procedures.

The Committee was briefed by the Clerk on the support and advice provided by the Committee secretariat, and the core functions, remit and powers of PAC.

2:06 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

3. Declaration of Interests

The Committee considered a brief from the Clerk to the Committee outlining Standing Order 69 regarding members’ responsibilities for the declaration of interests.

The Chairperson asked Members to declare any interests which might have a bearing on the work of the Committee.

No interests were declared.

4. First Day Brief from the Audit Office

The Committee was briefed by Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General; Ms Louise Mason, Assistant Auditor General; Mr Eddie Bradley, Assistant Audit General; and Mr Joe Campbell, Audit Manager; on the functions of the Audit Office.

5. First Day Brief from the Treasury Officer of Accounts

The Committee was briefed by the outgoing Treasury Officer of Accounts, Ms Fiona Hamill; and Mrs Catherine Daly who will shortly take up the post, on the role of the TOA and the Department of Finance and Personnel in promoting public accountability and supporting the work of the Committee.

The Chairperson thanked Ms Hamill for her support to the Committee as TOA and welcomed Mrs Daly.

6. Legacy Report of the Previous Committee.

The Committee considered the recommendations of the legacy report from the previous Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to address in the summer forward work programme the recommendation relating to the Committee’s recent report ‘’Report on Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2009-2010’ NIA 52/10/11R as it pertains to the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and of Finance and Personnel.

7. Draft Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered a draft forward work programme.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to the draft forward work programme for May and June.

8. Any other business

There was no other business.

9. Date. time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 1 June 2011 at 2:00 pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2:45 pm.

Mr Joe Byrne
Deputy Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
1 June 2011.