Minutes of Proceedings

2:00 pm The meeting opened in public session.

1.  Apologies

Apologies are listed above.

2:01 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 22 February 2012

Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed. 

3. Matters Arising

Correspondence from Quadriga Consulting

The Committee noted correspondence from Mr Jeffrey Peel, Managing Director, Quadriga Consulting highlighting concerns about a recent tendering process.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the C&AG to investigate and that the C&AG report back any findings to the Committee.

4. Briefing on the NIAO Report ‘Uptake of Benefits by Pensioners’

Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General; Mr Eddie Bradley, Assistant Auditor General; and Mrs Claire Dornan, Audit Manager; briefed the Committee on the report.

2:09 pm Mr McLaughlin declared an interest stating that he is a pensioner.

2:11 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

2:15 pm The meeting went into closed session after the C&AG’s initial remarks.

2:38 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.

2:41 pm Mr Copeland and Mr Easton left the meeting.

2:43 pm Mr Copeland and Mr Easton entered the meeting.

2:59 pm Mr Murphy left the meeting.

3:02 pm Mr Easton and Mr Girvan left the meeting.

5. NICS Secondment Arrangements

The Committee noted correspondence from Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Head of the Civil Service regarding secondment arrangements within the NICS.

3:07 pm Ms Kelly from Assembly Legal Services joined the meeting to advise the Committee as client in confidence. External advisers left the meeting.

Ms Kelly briefed the Committee on the legal advice sought.

3:16 pm Mr Easton and Mr Girvan entered the meeting.

3:22 pm Mr Byrne left the meeting.

3:24 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting.

3:25 pm Mr Byrne entered the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Head of the Civil Service requesting some further information.  The Committee also agreed a further request for legal advice.

3:25 pm Ms Kelly left the meeting.

3.35 pm External advisers rejoined the meeting.

6. Consideration of Draft Committee Report on ‘The Use of Locum Doctors by Northern Ireland Hospitals’

The Committee considered the first draft of its report on ‘Bioscience and Technology Institute’

Paragraphs 1 - 7 read and agreed.

Paragraph 8 read, amended and agreed.

3:55 pm Mr Anderson left the meeting.

Paragraph 9 read and agreed.

Paragraph 10 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 12 -13 read and agreed.

4:06 pm Mr Anderson entered the meeting.

Paragraph 14 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 15 – 18 read and agreed.

Paragraph 19 deferred for further consideration.

Paragraphs 20 – 23 read and agreed.

Paragraph 24 read, amended and agreed

Paragraph 25 read and agreed.

Paragraph 26 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 27 – 29 read and agreed.

Paragraph 30 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraph 31 read and agreed.

4:14 pm Mr McQuillan left the meeting.

Paragraph 32 deferred for further consideration.

Paragraphs 33 - 34 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraph 35 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraph 36 deferred for further consideration.

Paragraph 37 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraph 38 read and agreed.

Paragraph 39 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 40 – 43 read and agreed.

Paragraph 44 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 45-46 read and agreed.

Paragraphs 47 – 53 deferred subject to further advice.

Paragraph 53(b) read and agreed.

Paragraphs 54 – 55 read, amended and agreed.

Paragraphs 56 – 57 read and agreed.

Paragraph 58 – 59 read, amended and agreed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to clarify some information.

3:25 pm Mr Murphy left the meeting.

7.  Press Release – Report on the ‘Use of Locum Doctors by NI Hospitals’

2:09 pm Mr Easton declared an interest stating that he is the Assembly Private Secretary for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Agreed:  The Committee agreed the draft press release for its forthcoming report on ‘The Use of Locum doctors by NI Hospitals’.

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, 7 March 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4:46 pm.

Mr Paul Maskey MP MLA
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
7 March February 2012