COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance: Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Ms Claire Cassidy (Assembly Research)
Apology: Mr Paul Maskey
The meeting commenced at 2.37pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apology as detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 nd February 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 nd February 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Rev Robert Coulter
4. Matters arising
The Committee noted that advice had been requested from Legal Services on the issue raised by Reverend Coulter on section 43 of the Northern Ireland Act and that this would be available at the next meeting at which the Committee is considering the Code of Conduct.
5. Review of All-Party Groups and All Party-Assembly Groups
Ms Claire Cassidy, Assembly Research, presented a research paper to the Committee.
Following discussion the Committee :-
Agreed: The Committee agreed to define the purpose and role of All-Party Groups as per the suggestion in the Clerk’s paper.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was not necessary to continue to differentiate between All-Party Groups and All-Party Assembly Groups and that these groups should be known as ‘All-Party Groups’ which could be made up of all MLAs or MLAs and representatives from outside organisations as decided by the individual groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that following the Review Committee office staff should continue to have responsibility for overseeing the administration of the establishment and registering of All-Party Groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to make a recommendation to the Director General that the responsibility for the booking of rooms and hospitality would be more appropriately placed elsewhere within the Assembly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that committee staff should draw up a draft ‘Guide to the Rules for All-Party Groups’ for Members consideration at a future date.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that there should be a requirement to ensure that All-Party Groups be of ‘genuine public interest’ and that the Committee should therefore retain the responsibility for approving applications for All-Party Groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Director of Engagement should be asked to give consideration as to how best to publicise All-Party Groups and that this advice should be incorporated into the ‘Guide to the Rules for All-Party Groups’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the requirements for the registration and updating of All-Party Groups’ details should be incorporated into the draft Guide to the Rules on All-Party Groups.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Commission in order to establish exactly what resources can be made available to All-Party Groups and that this information should be incorporated into the draft ‘Guide to the Rules for All-Party Groups’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that responsibility for monitoring the rules governing these groups should remain with the Standards and Privileges Committee.
2.57pm The meeting was suspended
3.25pm The Committee reconvened in closed session; the Chairperson having confirmed that all Members were content that enough time had been given for Members to consider the Report from the Interim Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member. Mr Craig joined the meeting.
3.28pm Mr Clarke joined the meeting.
6. Report by the Interim Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member
Members noted the contents of the Report received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member.
The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards, and invited him to make a short presentation to the Committee. After the presentation Dr Frawley answered a number of questions from the Committee.
Agreed: After Dr Frawley left the meeting, the Committee discussed the report and agreed with its conclusions.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee should meet on Thursday 26 th February 2009 in order to agree its Report on this complaint.
7. Any other business
The Chairperson informed Members that she had met with Lord Morrow to discuss the issue of amending Standing Orders to reflect recommendations arising out of the Committee’s review of the Code of Conduct.
The Chairperson also informed Members that she had spoken to Dr Frawley about the Committee’s decision to defer agreeing the final version of the Code of Conduct until after the Committee had considered an outstanding complaint. Dr Frawley had confirmed that his report on this complaint would be provided to the Committee in the next few weeks.
8. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 1.00pm on Thursday, 26 th February 2009 in room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.50pm.