AD HOC COMMITTEE
DISQUALIFICATION LEGISLATION
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY 28 MAY 2002
ROOM 135 PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Dr Esmond Birnie MLA Chairperson
Dr Dara O'Hagan MLA Deputy Chairperson
Mr Mervyn Carrick MLA
Mr Billy Hutchinson MLA
Mr Alban Maginness MLA
Mr Pat McNamee MLA
Mr Sean Neeson ML
Mr Peter Weir MLA

Attendees:
Mr Tony Logue, Committee Clerk
Ms Hilary Bogle
Ms Pauline Innes

2.32pm the meeting opened in private session-the Clerk in the Chair.

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson

The Clerk called for nominations for the position of Committee Chairperson. Mr Weir proposed that: Dr Birnie be the Chairperson of this Committee. Mr Carrick seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

On there being no further nominations the Clerk put the question without debate.

Resolved, that Dr Birnie, being the only candidate proposed, be Chairperson of this Committee.

2.33pm Mr Hutchinson, Mr Maginness and Dr O'Hagan joined the meeting.

2.34pm Dr Birnie in the Chair.

The Chairperson thanked members for their support and sought nominations for the position of Committee Deputy Chairperson. Mr Neeson proposed that: Dr O'Hagan be the Deputy Chairperson of this Committee. Mr McNamee seconded this and the nomination was accepted.

On there being no further nominations the Chairperson put the question without debate.

Resolved, that Dr O'Hagan, being the only candidate proposed, be Deputy Chairperson of this Committee.

3. Declaration of Interests

The Committee noted amendments to the Declaration of Interests. The Chairperson invited members to forward any further amendments in writing to the Committee Clerk.

4. Procedures of the Committee

The Chairperson referred members to a memorandum from the Committee Clerk on the procedures of the Committee contained in their briefing papers.

Resolved,

Witnesses-the Committee agreed to take evidence from relevant bodies as part of its proceedings. It was agreed that a representative from the Elections Office, Northern Ireland Office (NIO), London should be invited to give evidence to the Committee. It was further agreed that an advertisement, inviting comments on the disqualification criteria, should be placed on the Northern Ireland Assembly website and that a Press Release be issued.

2.42pm Mr Neeson left the meeting

Voting-the Committee agreed that in the absence of consensus, simple majority would determine all decisions.

Minutes of Evidence-the Committee agreed that in the event that any members are unable to attend an evidence session, the uncorrected Minutes of Evidence would be copied to those members for their information.

Public meetings-the Committee agreed that it would hold all evidence sessions in public.

Deputies-the Committee agreed not to use deputies.

Action: Clerk

5. Forward work programme

The Committee noted a memorandum from the Committee Clerk setting out a proposed forward work programme.

6. Briefing from the Assembly Legal Advisor and the Assembly Research and Library Service

Members noted the contents of an Information Pack and Background briefing note prepared by Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Library Service. Following a briefing from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Library Service, members conducted an initial analysis of the criteria for the disqualification of persons listed under Schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975, with assistance from the Assembly Legal Advisor and the Assembly Research & Library Services.

3.02pm Mr Maginness left the meeting

3.03pm Mr Maginness returned to the meeting

3.05pm Dr O'Hagan left the meeting

Following debate it was agreed that the Clerk should write to the NIO seeking clarification on the issues raised. It was also agreed that the Clerk should acquire a copy of the disqualification criteria currently in place in the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

Action: Clerk

7. Any other business

No other matters were raised.

8. Date and time of next meeting

The Committee agreed that the Clerk would notify members of the date of the next meeting, following arrangements being made for a representative from the NIO to give evidence to the Committee.

3.23am the Chairperson adjourned the meeting.

Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee
10 June 2002