Ad Hoc Committee on the Assembly Members
(Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill

MONDAY, 29TH NOVEMBER 2010
SENATE CHAMBER, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Fred Cobain MLA (Chairperson)
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Daithi McKay MLA
Mr Jim Wells MLA

In Attendance:
Mrs Shauna Mageean (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
No apologies.

The meeting commenced at 1.31pm in open session

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

3. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 24 th November 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 24 th November 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

1.32pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting.
1.33pm Mr McKay joined the meeting.

4. Matters arising

The Committee noted the correspondence dated 24 th November 2010 from Ms Ramsey indicating her acceptance of the nomination as Deputy Chairperson.

The Committee noted the memorandum dated 24 th November 2010 from the Clerk to the Clerk to the Committee on Standards and Privileges seeking clarification regarding declaration of interest for Committee members who are Trustees of the Northern Ireland Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme.

The Committee noted the memorandum dated 25 th November 2010 from the Clerk to the Committee on Standards and Privileges in response to the Committee’s request for clarification regarding declaration of interest for Committee members who are Trustees of the Northern Ireland Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme. The advice being that those Members who are Trustees of the Assembly Members’ Pension Scheme should declare that interest in the proceedings as applicable.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the motion that the quorum shall be 5 except when no decision is taken or question put to the Committee, when the quorum shall be 4.

5. Correspondence issued

Members noted a memorandum dated 24 November 2010 to the Examiner of Statutory Rules in relation to the memorandum of delegated powers for the Bill seeking his comments.

6. Correspondence received

Members noted the Memorandum of delegated powers under the Bill.

Members noted a written submission dated 24 th November 2010 from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

7. Evidence Session – Northern Ireland Assembly Committee on Standards and Privileges

Members noted the Clerk’s Paper and the Paper received from the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Declan O’Loan, Committee Chairperson; Mr Paul Gill, Clerk to the Committee; Ms Tara Caul, Senior Legal Advisor; and Mr Jonathan McMillan, Legal Advisor and invited them to brief the Committee.

Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.

2.28pm Mr McCartney left the meeting.
2.28pm Mr Wells left the meeting.
2.28pm The Committee adjourned.
3.35pm The Committee reconvened in open session.

8. Evidence Session – Northern Ireland Assembly Commission

Members noted the Clerk’s Paper and the Paper received from the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission.

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Peter Weir MLA, Member of the Assembly Commission; Mr Tony Logue, Head of the Commission Support and Compliance Unit; Mr Hugh Widdis, Director of Legal Services; Ms Tara Caul, Senior Legal Adviser; and Mr Richard Stewart, Director of Resources and invited them to brief the meeting.

3.56pm Mr McKay left the meeting

Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending the meeting.

9. Any other business

There was no other business.

10. Time, date and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Monday, 6th December 2010 at 4.30pm in the Senate Chamber.

Members noted that the Committee will be taking oral evidence on the Bill from Mr Stuart Allan, the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner and from Sir Christopher Kelly, Chairperson of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.01pm.

Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
6th December, 2010

24 November 10 / Menu