Public Accounts Committee

Minutes of Proceedings 26 September 2024

Public Account Committee minutes of proceedings 26 September 2024.pdf (148.67 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings

Present:                   

Cheryl Brownlee, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Diane Forsyth, MLA

David Honeyford, MLA

John Stewart, MLA

Tom Buchanan, MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Diane Forsyth, MLA

Cathal Boylan, MLA

Apologies:   

Daniel McCrossan, MLA (Chairperson), Colm Gildernew, MLA and Pádraig Delargy, MLA.

In Attendance:       

Lucia Wilson (Committee Clerk)

Kirsten McClelland (Assistant Committee Clerk)

Karen Barry (Clerical Supervisor)

Barbara Daly (Clerical Officer)

The meeting commenced at 2.10 pm 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 2.12 pm.

1.      Apologies

Apologies were received from Daniel McCrossan, MLA, Colm Gildernew, MLA and Pádraig Delargy, MLA..

2.      Draft minutes

Agreed:  The draft minutes of the meeting on 19 September 2024 were agreed.

3.      Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded members of their requirement to register their interests under Standing Order 69(5).

4.      Matters Arising

5.      Chairperson’s Business

6.      Correspondence

Members noted correspondence between the Justice Committee and Northern Ireland Audit Office in respect of the PSNI Injury on Duty Scheme.

Members noted a letter from a member of the public outlining concerns about access to appropriate mental health services for a family member.

Agreed:         Members agreed to write, advising the correspondent,  to contact their local MLA, as they would be better placed to assist with individual cases, which are outside the remit of the committee.  

The meeting moved into closed session at 2.15 pm.

7.      Major Capital Projects: Follow Up Report – Preparation Session

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 2.15 pm

Ms Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General, NI

Mr Patrick Barr, Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Mrs Suzanne Murphy, Audit Manager, Northern Ireland Audit Office.

The Committee received a briefing ahead of its evidence session on 3 October 2024.

The Chairperson thanked officials for attending.

Officials left the meeting at 2.45 pm.

8.      Forward Work Programme

The Committee was briefed on the draft Forward Work programme.

Agreed:         The Committee agreed its forward work programme.

9.      Any Other Business

The Clerk reminded members that an event is planned in Parliament Buildings on 7 November 2024 to launch the report into ‘Child Poverty in Northern Ireland’.

Agreed:         Members agreed submit suggestions for invitees to the launch event to Committee Staff.

10.   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 3 October 2024 at 2.00 pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 2.48 pm.

Cheryl Brownlee MLA

Deputy Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee

26 September 2024