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

WEDNESDAY, 19TH JANUARY 2011
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Ms Sue Ramsey MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Givan MLA
Mr John McCallister MLA (deputising for Mr Fred Cobain MLA)
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Conall McDevitt MLA (deputising for Mr John Dallat MLA)

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

Apologies:
Mr Fred Cobain MLA
Mr John Dallat MLA
Mr Daithí McKay MLA
Mr Jim Wells MLA

2.07pm The meeting commenced in public session with the Deputy Chairperson in the Chair.

1. Chairperson’s Introduction

The Deputy Chairperson welcomed members to the sixth meeting of the Ad hoc Committee and provided an overview of the day’s business.

2. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

3. Declaration of Interests

The Deputy Chairperson reminded members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests which are likely to be relevant to a substantial part of the work which the committee may be required to undertake.

4. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 17 th January 2011

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 th January 2011 were agreed by the Committee for publication on the Assembly website.

5. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

6. Committee Report

Introduction

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 61-73 stand part of the report.

Consideration of the Bill by the Committee

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 74-94 stand part of the report.

Key Issues

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 95-164 stand part of the report.

Clause by Clause Consideration of the Bill

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 165 - 210 stand part of the report.

Appendices

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 1 ‘Minutes of Proceedings’ of every meeting of the Committee stand part of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 2 ‘Minutes of Evidence’ stand part of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 3 ‘Written Submissions’ stand part of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 4 ‘Memoranda and other papers considered by the Committee’ stand part of the report.

Executive Summary

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 1-52 stand part of the report.

Recommendations

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 53-60 stand part of the report.

Committee Membership and Powers and Table of Contents

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee Membership and Powers and Table of Contents stand part of the report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that an extract of the minutes of today’s meeting be included in the appendices to the report as ‘unapproved minutes’ so as to allow the report to be printed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that this report be the First Report of Ad Hoc Committee to the Assembly for the 2010-2011 Session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to order the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill to be printed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the report be laid in manuscript in the Assembly Business Office tomorrow to be available for all Members to view.

7. Press Release

Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft Press Release to be issued on behalf of the Committee.

8. Any other business

Members noted that Consideration of the Bill will likely be in mid February, at a date to be agreed by the Business Committee.

There was no other business.

As this was the final meeting of the Committee Mr Givan, joined by the Deputy Chairperson and members of the Committee, expressed thanks to the Committee staff for the detailed work involved in completing the Report within tight timescales.

The Deputy Chairperson thanked the members of the Committee for their contribution.

2.13pm The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the meeting

EXTRACT

17 January 2011 / Menu