Public Accounts Committee

Minutes of Proceedings - Thursday 7 May 2026

Public Accounts Committee - Thursday 7 May 2026.pdf (155.54 kb)

Meeting Location: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

 

Present:

Tom Buchanan, MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Stephen Dunne, MLA

Gareth Wilson, MLA

David Honeyford, MLA

Colm Gildernew, MLA

Jemma Dolan, MLA

                              

Present by Video or Teleconference: 

Daniel McCrossan, MLA (Chairperson)

 

Apologies:           

Jon Burrows, MLA

Cathal Boylan, MLA

                              

In Attendance:

Lucia Wilson (Committee Clerk)

Kirsten McClelland (Assistant Committee Clerk)

Karen Barry (Clerical Supervisor)

Yannie Mahood (Clerical Officer)

 

The meeting opened in public session at 2.07pm.

 

1. Apologies

Apologies were noted from Jon Burrows, MLA and Cathal Boylan, MLA.

 

2. Draft minutes

Agreed: Members agreed the draft minutes of the meeting on 30 April 2026.

 

3. Declaration of Interests

 

4. Chairperson’s Business

The Chair made a presentation to the Assistant Committee Clerk to thank her for her service to the Committee and to wish her well as she takes up a secondment opportunity with the Department of Justice.

Jemma Dolan, MLA, joined the meeting at 2.10 pm.

 

5. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

6. Correspondence

Members considered correspondence from a Member of the Public regarding issues with Northern Ireland Housing Executive accommodation. The Committee has previously considered related correspondence. The matters raised do not fall within the remit of the PAC.

Agreed: Members agreed to note the correspondence and advise the correspondent that the matters raised do not fall within the remit of the Committee.

Members considered correspondence from a Member of the Public regarding planning matters and a complaint to the Information Commissioner. The issues raised relate to an English constituency and therefore are not within the remit of the Committee.

Agreed:  Members agreed to note the correspondence and advise the correspondent that the matters raised should be addressed to the appropriate Westminster Committee.

Members considered correspondence from a Member of the Public regarding issues with housing. The Committee has previously considered related correspondence. The matters raised do not fall within the remit of the PAC.

Agreed: Members agreed to note and file the correspondence and advise the correspondent that matters raised do not fall within the remit of the Committee.

The meeting moved into closed session at 2.16 pm.

 

7. Inquiry on Major IT Projects in Northern Ireland: Issues Paper

The following witnesses and officials joined the meeting at 2.16 pm.

  • Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General;
  • Suzanne Jones, Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office;
  • Suzanne Murphy, Audit Manager, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Members considered the Issues paper in relation to the evidence session on 23 April 2026 and the written evidence in respect of the case study projects.

The Chair thanked the witnesses for attending. Witnesses left the meeting at 2.40 pm.

 

8. Inquiry into Northern Ireland Energy Strategy: Briefing Session

The following witnesses and officials joined the meeting at 2.40 pm.

  • Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General;
  • Seamus Wade, Director, Northern Ireland Audit Office;
  • Gary Currie, Audit Manager, Northern Ireland Audit Office

Members received a briefing ahead of the evidence session scheduled with the Department for the Economy for 28 April 2026.

Agreed: Members agreed to request a copy of the Northern Ireland Chamber report on Powering Progress on Energy in NI for consideration as written evidence to the inquiry.

Agreed: Members agreed to consider further witnesses to the inquiry following the evidence session which will take place on 28th May.

The Chair thanked witnesses for attending. Witnesses left the meeting at 3.16 pm.

David Honeyford, MLA left the meeting at 3.16 pm.

 

9. Draft Forward Work Programme

The Clerk briefed members on the forward work programme.

Agreed: Members agreed the draft forward work programme.

Agreed: Members agreed a request from Grainne Long, Accounting Officer to the Department for Communities to seek an alternative date to provide evidence to the Committee on Homelessness in Northern Ireland.

 

10. Any Other Business

The following witnesses and officials joined the meeting at 3.18 pm.

  • Dorinnia Carville, Comptroller and Auditor General;

The C&AG briefed members on recent briefings she has provided to other Committees that reference the work of the PAC.

 

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place in the Senate Chamber on Thursday 21 May 2026 at 2.00pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 3.24 pm.

 

Daniel McCrossan

Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee

21 May 2026