Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 07 December 2011
Venue: The Senate Chamber
2:03 pm The meeting opened in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are listed above.
2. Minutes of the meeting on 23 November 2011
Agreed: The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Evidence on the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘The Use of Locum Doctors in NI Hospitals’.
The Chairperson reminded Members’ that Mr Alex Easton had excluded himself from participating in the Committee’s inquiry as he was the Assembly Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety.
The Committee took oral evidence on the above report from:
- Dr Andrew McCormick, Accounting Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS);
- Dr Paddy Woods, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS);
- Ms Diane Taylor, Director of Human Resources, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS); and
- Ms Elaine Way, Chief Executive, Western Health and Social Care Trust.
2:19 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
2:33 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
2:34 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
2:49 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
2:54 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.
3:40 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
3:45 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
3:45 pm Mr Girvan left the meeting
2:19 pm Mr Girvan entered the meeting.
3:52 pm Mr Frew and McCann left the meeting.
4:04 pm Mr Hussey left the meeting.
4:08 pm Mr Hussey entered the meeting.
4:30 pm Mr Copeland left the meeting.
4:32 pm Mr Dallat left the meeting.
4:35 pm Mr Dallat entered the meeting.
4:43 pm Mr Copeland entered the meeting.
4:44 pm Mr Anderson left the meeting.
4:46 pm Mr Anderson entered the meeting.
The witnesses answered a number of questions put by the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further information from the witnesses.
5. Consultation on Statutory Rule
The Committee agreed to consider the proposed amendments to the Companies (Public Sector Audit) Order (NI) 2008 at its meeting on 14 December 2011.
6. Northern Ireland Audit Office Draft Corporate Plan 2012-13 to 2014-15
Members noted the draft Northern Ireland Audit Office Corporate Plan 2011/12 – 2013/14.
The Chairperson invited Mr Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General to brief the Committee.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Audit Committee reflecting the Committee’s position on the Draft Corporate Plan.
7. Any other business
Correspondence to the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service
The Committee considered a draft letter to Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service setting out some concerns highlighted during the course of the Committee’s Inquiry into ‘Reducing Water Pollution from Agricultural Sources – The Farm Nutrient Management Scheme’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to send the letter as drafted to the Head of the Civil Service.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 at 2:00 pm in the Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 5:12 pm.
