COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 2.10pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting which was his first meeting since becoming Chairperson of the Committee in July.
The Chairperson also welcomed Mr Thomas Buchanan and Mr Trevor Clarke as new Members of the Committee replacing Mr Jonathan Craig and Mr David Hilditch.
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Mr O’Loan as Chairperson and proposed that the Committee write to former Chairperson, Mrs Carmel Hanna, as well as to Mr Jonathan Craig and Mr David Hilditch thanking them for their contribution to the Committee and wishing them well in the future.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to Mrs Carmel Hanna, Mr Jonathan Craig and Mr David Hilditch thanking them for their contribution to the Committee and wishing them well in the future.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
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.
Members noted the registered interests of Mr Declan O’Loan, Mr Thomas Buchanan and Mr Trevor Clarke which were tabled.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 nd July 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 2 nd July 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr George Savage
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Periodic Report of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards
2.17pm The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, Ombudsman’s Office and invited Dr Frawley to present his Report to the Committee.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards advising him that it was content that he should set deadlines for responses to requests for information made by him to Members who were the subject of complaints. The Committee also agreed that it was happy for the Commissioner to draw to its attention instances where he feels deadlines have been missed unreasonably.
The Chairperson invited Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie to remain in the meeting for the discussion on the next item of business.
6. Options for handling reports of the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that in future complaint cases the Member complained of should still receive a copy of the Commissioner’s Report on the Thursday or Friday before the meeting, and that Committee members should continue to receive a copy of the Report the day before the meeting. It was also agreed that reports issued to Members complained of and members of the Committee should have a unique reference that identifies to whom the report has been issued. These reports should be provided directly to all Members.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie and they left the meeting.
7. End of Session Report
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft End of Session Report which will be placed on the Assembly website.
8. Draft Standards and Privileges Standing Orders
The Committee noted the draft Standards and Privileges Standing Orders which have been agreed by the Committee on Procedures. The Committee also noted that it is anticipated that the Assembly will debate a motion to adopt them on 12 October 2009.
9. Draft Forward Work Plan
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft Forward Work Plan.
10. Application for an All-Party Group on Learning Disability
Mr Thomas Buchanan and Mr Brian Wilson declared an interest in the proposed All Party Group on Learning Disability
Agreed: The Committee approved the formation of an All Party Assembly Group on Learning Disability.
3.08pm The Committee moved into Closed Session
11. Correspondence
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence at Tab A and agreed that the Clerk should write to Legal Services for advice on the issue raised.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from the Speaker inviting the Chairperson to attend a dinner in Parliament Buildings on Monday 21 September 2009 with the European Board of the International Ombudsman Institute and agreed that he should attend.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence from a complainant on a previous complaint and after having considered the matter agreed a response to issue from the Clerk.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should look into the handling of appeals in other places and report back to the Committee at a later meeting.
3.14pm Mr O’Loan declared an interest in the next item of correspondence and left the meeting. Mr Willie Clarke, Deputy Chairperson took the Chair.
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence in relation to a previous report on a complaint. Following discussion the Committee agreed that the Clerk should establish what options are open to the Committee to deal with this issue and report back to the Committee at a future meeting.
12. Any other business
There was no other business.
13. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 23 rd September 2009 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings when the Committee will consider a Report on a complaint against a Member.
The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.25pm.