COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY, 11TH JANUARY, 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Billy Leonard
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance: Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Damien Martin (Clerk Assistant)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 4.33pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting and in particular Mr Billy Leonard to his first meeting of the Committee.
The Chairperson on behalf of the Committee congratulated the Reverend Coulter for his Award of the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
Members noted that today’s meeting had been called at short notice to discuss and agree how the Committee would deal with the issues raised in relation to the conduct of Mrs Iris Robinson MLA and Mr Peter Robinson MP MLA which were made in a Spotlight programme.
Members noted that all other Committee business will be dealt with at the next meeting of the Committee.
1. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
2. Committee’s response to allegations made in Spotlight programme
The Committee noted correspondence received from Mr Peter Robinson MP MLA.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Interim Assembly Commission for Standards requesting him to carry out an investigation into the conduct of Mrs Iris Robinson MLA and Mr Peter Robinson MP MLA.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to Mr Peter Robinson MP MLA informing him that it had written to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards instructing him to carry out an investigation.
The Committee noted correspondence received from Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Chief Whip, Sinn Féin.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Chief Whip, Sinn Féin informing her that the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards was being instructed to carry out an investigation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft Press Release, as amended.
3. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 1.15pm on Wednesday 13th January 2010 in room 144, Parliament Buildings. Lunch will be available from 1.00pm.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.52pm.