Public Accounts Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 18 April 2024
Public Accounts Committee - Minutes of Proceedings 18 April 2024.pdf (155.96 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Daniel McCrossan, MLA (Chairperson)
Cheryl Brownlee, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan, MLA
Tom Buchanan, MLA
Diane Forsyth, MLA
Colm Gildernew, MLA
David Honeyford, MLA
John Stewart, MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Pádraig Delargy, MLA
Apologies:
In Attendance:
Lucia Wilson (Committee Clerk)
Kirsten McClelland (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Karen Barry (Clerical Supervisor)
Barbara Daly (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.04 pm in closed session
The Chairperson advised members of the requirement to declare interests in any items of business on the agenda, and discussed the substantive items of business to be considered.
The meeting moved into public session at 2.07 pm.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies received.
2. Draft minutes
Agreed:
The draft minutes of the meeting on 11 April 2024 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Chairperson’s Business
No Chairperson’s business was raised.
5. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded members of their requirement to register their interests under Standing Order 69(5).
Pádraig Delargy declared an interest as Chair of the All party group on Mental Health.
6. Correspondence
A letter dated 12 April 2024 was received from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs regarding the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report on Water Quality in Northern Ireland’s Rivers and Lakes. The Committee Clerk has responded on behalf of the Committee to advise that this report has been held pending a decision on future Public Accounts Committee inquiries.
Agreed: Members agreed to note the correspondence and update the Committee for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs in due course.
A letter dated 15 April 2024 was received from a member of the public regarding an NIAO audit of the Northern Ireland university sector.
Agreed: Members agreed to note the correspondence.
7. Inquiry on Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland – Preparation Session
The following officials from the Northern Ireland Audit Office joined the meeting at 2.10 pm:
Ms Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office;
Ms Collette Kane, Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office;
Mr Roger McCance, Audit Manager, Northern Ireland Audit Office;
Mr Kyle Bingham, Assembly Support Officer, Northern Ireland Audit Office.
Mr Damien Prenter, Senior Auditor, NIAO
Ms Nikita White, Auditor, NIAO
The meeting moved into closed session at 2.09 pm.
The Committee received a briefing in preparation for its first inquiry on Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland.
Tom Buchanan joined the meeting at 2.11 pm.
The meeting was suspended at 2.49pm
The meeting resumed at 2.58pm in public session.
8. Inquiry on Mental Health Services in Northern Ireland: Evidence Session –Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland
The following officials from the Mental Health Champion’s Office joined the meeting at 2.58 pm
Professor Siobhan O’Neill, Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland
Dr Nicole Bond, Research Officer
The following Department of Finance official also joined the meeting;
Mr Stuart Stevenson, Treasury Officer of Accounts
The Committee heard evidence from the Mental Health Champion
The Chairperson thanked Professor O’Neill, Dr Bond, C&AG and Mr Stevenson for attending.
Officials left the meeting at 4.39 pm.
The meeting moved into closed session at 4.39 pm.
Pádraig Delargy left the meeting at 4.39 pm.
Members discussed the evidence provided by the Professor O’Neill and Dr Bond.
The meeting moved into public session at 4.49 pm.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee was briefed on the draft Forward Work programme. The Clerk advised that a Memorandum of Reply on Planning in Northern Ireland has been received from the Department of Finance.
Agreed: The Committee agreed its forward work programme.
10. Any Other Business
11. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The Chairperson thanked officials for their attendance and advised members that the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 25th April, at 2.00 pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4.51 pm.
Daniel McCrossan MLA
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee
18 April 2024
