• Final Stage - Social Security Fraud Bill (NIA Bill 16/00)
  (subject to suspension of Standing Orders having been agreed)

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 3 and insert:

"The guide is divided into four sections dealing with (1) Registration of Interests (paragraphs 8 to 37); (2) Declaration of Interests (paragraphs 38 to 53); (3) the Advocacy Rule (paragraphs 54 to 64); and (4) Procedure for Complaints (paragraphs 65 to 74)."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 10 and insert:

"After an election to the Assembly, Members are required to complete a registration form and submit it to the Clerk of Standards within three months of taking their seats in accordance with Standing Orders. For Members returned at a by-election the time limit is also three months from the date on which they take their seats. Members taking their seats in accordance with section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 must also complete a registration form within three months of taking their seats. After the initial publication of the Register, (or, in the case of Members returned at by-elections or in accordance with section 35 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, after their initial registration) it is the responsibility of Members to notify changes in their registrable interests within four weeks of each change occurring."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 33 and insert:

"Members are required to register unremunerated directorships, eg directorships of charitable trusts, professional bodies, learned societies or sporting or artistic organisations, where such a body might directly benefit from public funds or from a decision taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Where a Member considers that an unremunerated interest, other than a directorship, which the Member holds might be thought by others to influence his or her actions in a similar manner to a remunerated interest, such an interest should be registered here."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 67 and insert:

"Communications between a Member of the Assembly and the Clerk of Standards and between a member of the public and the Clerk of Standards are not covered by Assembly privilege under section 50 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 nor are they privileged at law. However, should the Commissioner for Standards decide to investigate a complaint, that investigation is privileged. Once the Commissioner reports his findings to the Committee, the proceedings of the Committee in relation to the report are privileged. The privilege attaching to an investigation by the Commissioner and the related proceedings of the Committee do not extend to include allegations made in the original complaint."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 68 and insert:

"All complaints submitted to the Clerk of Standards will be referred by him to the Commissioner for Standards for initial and, if appropriate, detailed investigation. The receipt of a complaint by the Clerk of Standards or the Committee on Standards and Privileges is not to be interpreted as an indication that a prima facie case has been established."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Poposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 69 and insert:

"When the Commissioner considers a complaint and concludes that no further investigation is necessary, he will report accordingly to the Committee through the Clerk of Standards."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 70 and insert:

"On completion of a detailed investigation into a complaint against a Member, the Commissioner shall submit a report to the Committee on Standards and Privileges."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 71 and insert:

"If the Committee on Standards and Privileges decides to adopt the findings and conclusions of a detailed report, as mentioned in paragraph 70, that report shall be submitted to the Assembly as part of a report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' delete paragraph 72 and insert:

"Where the report submitted to the Assembly in accordance with paragraph 71 deals with any matter mentioned in paragraphs 8 to 64 of this guide, it may contain a recommendation that the Member be excluded from proceedings of the Assembly for a specified period and have his/her rights and privileges as a Member withdrawn for that period."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' insert new paragraph 73:

"The Committee on Standards and Privileges has power under Standing Orders to send for persons, papers and records, to order the attendance of any Member before it and to require that specific documents in the possession of a Member relating to its inquiries or to the inquiries of the Commissioner for Standards be laid before it."

- Motion - 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members'

Proposed: In the 'Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members' insert new paragraph 74:

"While it will be usual for the Committee on Standards and Privileges to deliberate in private, the Committee determines for itself whether sessions at which evidence is to be taken shall be held publicly or in private and is empowered to refuse leave for the broadcasting of any public sessions."

4.1 Education

4.2 Health, Social Services and Public Safety

4.3 Finance and Personnel

Current Position of Statutory Rules Referred by Relevant Committee to the Assembly Subject to Negative Resolution