PAC chairman pledges to maintain pressure on government

The former Chairman of the Northern Ireland Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has pledged to hold the direct rule ministers to account over decisions made during the suspension of the executive.

The UUP's Lagan Valley MLA Billy Bell said that he is holding regular meetings with the Comptroller and Auditor General in order to ensure that he continues to receive advice on matters of accountability and is briefed on any forthcoming Audit Office reports.

The local PAC reverted to Westminster, following the October 15 suspension order, where only key Audit Office reports would be considered. Mr Bell said that it was unlikely that any hearings would be held on Northern Ireland issues in the next few months.

He said: “Prior to suspension, PAC was reaching a peak of effectiveness. Never had public officials been so accountable to the taxpayer for how public money was being spent or been placed under such sustained pressure to improve their performance.

"We had found our feet and were quickly gathering momentum. We had already agreed to a heavy programme of investigation up to the elections in May 2003, when suspension was introduced and our plans were thrown awry.”

He continued: “I am totally committed to ensuring that the impact of this suspension is minimised. I am therefore holding regular meetings with the Comptroller and Auditor General in order to ensure that he continues to get our advice on matters of accountability and also to be briefed on any forthcoming Audit Office reports.

He said that as soon as devolution returns the PAC will look at progress which departments have made in implementing the "many promises of improvement which they have given in the past four years”.

Mr Bell added: "As soon as devolution returns I am determined to be in the position where I can recall the Committee at the earliest opportune moment and resume its work programme without delay."

(GMcG)