Members have a report on Government progress reports from the clerk to the committee. Paragraph 16 asks the committee to agree that the reports be requested in May 2009 and September 2010. Members will be asked to identify key recommendations for inclusion in the next progress report once the Government's response to the Western Isles NHS Board report is received. We are also asked to consider any work themes that might be coming up. Are there any comments or questions? Do we agree with the report?
May 2009 seems to be a long time away; it is half way through the parliamentary session, effectively. I wondered if we could sensibly request the reports earlier than that.
I will ask Tracey Reilly to comment.
It could be earlier than that, but the progress reports process is designed to cover formal recommendations arising from committee reports. At this stage, we have only got the Western Isles NHS Board report, which would be subject to the process.
Okay; that is a good explanation.
On the point about emerging themes, I suspect that one year into the parliamentary session is probably too early to identify any specific themes emerging from our work. I do not detect huge enthusiasm in the Parliament for holding a committee debate on the Audit Committee's work.
We are also being asked to reflect on whether timeframes should be attached to any of the recommendations that we intend to pursue through the progress reports. We can deal with that as and when required.
That brings us to the end of the public part of the meeting. I thank everyone for their attendance. For those who are about to embark on a holiday, have a good break.
Meeting continued in private until 11:42.