Steps are being taken to open up meetings of the Public Accounts Committee to the public. According to the Committee?s latest report, tabled in the House of Assembly last week, its members have agreed that its meetings should be open to the public.

?There now appears to be unanimous support by members for the change and a consensus that open meetings would increase transparency and improve the effectiveness of your Committee,? the report stated. ?Information is currently being sought from other jurisdictions with open meetings in order to address the conduct and protocol of open PAC meetings and to ensure appropriate protection for individuals. In the meantime the Rules and Privileges Committee of the House is considering the matter.? The report said Bermuda was one of the few Commonwealth jurisdictions where the public cannot attend PAC meetings. Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons heads up the PAC which also consists of PLP backbenchers Glenn Blakeney, Wayne Perinchief and George Scott, and the UBP?s Patricia Gordon-Pamplin.