Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has expressed his disappointment at the Department of Finance & Personnel’s rejection of advice from the Public Accounts Committee regarding the sale and disposal of public assets, namely the former military sites transferred to the ownership of the Northern Ireland Executive and Ilex.
Mr Copeland who sits on the Stormont Public Accounts Committee said:
“The Department of Finance and Personnel has not accepted the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations arising from its investigation into “The Transfer of Former Military and Security Sites to the Northern Ireland Executive and Ilex Accounts 2010-11.”
“I find this very disappointing. The Department of Finance and Personnel seem to be intent on continuing the current method of dealing with these issues, a method which has led to a number of transactions which on the face of it, were detrimental to the public purse, and the very reason why this issue was brought to the PAC in the first place.
“In my view, when disposing of assets, the only way to realise their true value is by public auction or sealed bids. I become very concerned when there appears to be only one bidder.”