Northern Ireland Assembly Flax Flower Logo

COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 4 th July 2007
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson

In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Dr Kevin Pelan (Clerk to the Committee)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)

Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Alex Easton
Mr Gerry McHugh

The meeting opened at 2:00pm in closed session.

Chairperson’s Introduction.

The Chairperson welcomed Members to the fourth meeting of the Committee.

  1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Declaration of Interests.

The Chairman reminded members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each committee meeting.

  1. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 20 th June 2007.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 20 th June 2007.

  1. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

  1. Register of Members’ Interests.

Rev Coulter joined the meeting at 2:05pm

The Committee noted that that the Clerk had circulated to each Member a copy of their entry for the Register of Members’ Interests prior to printing and had asked that any final changes or amendments were advised by the 26 th June. The Chairperson informed the Committee that the interests of all 108 Members had been collated and that the publication of the Register of Members’ Interests could now be taken forward.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk proceed with the publication of the Register of Members’ Interests.

  1. Correspondence.

The Chairperson advised Members that the Clerk has received a third complaint against a Member of the Assembly. The Chairperson advised Members that the complaint has been passed to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards for consideration.

The Chairperson informed Members that the Clerk has received correspondence from the Committee on Procedures in relation to the review of Standing Orders. The Chairperson advised Members that the Committee on Procedures has inquired as to whether the Committee on Standards and Privileges will take the lead in reviewing sanctions under Standing Order 64.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk write to the Committee on Procedures and inform them that Committee on Standards and Privileges will take forward the review of sanctions under Standing Order 64.

  1. Report on 2nd Complaint by the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

 The Chairperson declared an interest in relation to the complaint.

Dr Frawley joined the meeting at 2:15pm

The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards to the meeting.

 The Interim Commissioner made a presentation to the Committee on his report relating to the second complaint. The Interim Commissioner provided an account of the background to the complaint and concluded with his recommendations to the Committee.

The Committee sought clarification on a number of issues relating to the Report.

The Interim Commissioner provided a brief update on the progress of the first and third complaint.

Dr Frawley left the meeting at2:40pm

 Agreed: Following discussion, the Committee agreed to accept the Interim Commissioner’s recommendations in respect of the second complaint.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk will write to both the complainant and Member informing them of the Committee’s decision and attach a copy of the Interim Commissioner’s Report.

  1. Paper on Complaints Procedures in Other Jurisdictions.

Members noted a briefing paper detailing the complaints procedures in the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons, the National Assembly for Wales and Dáil Éireann.

  1. Any Other Business.

The Chairperson informed Members that the Committee on Standards in the Scottish Parliament have suggested the 24 th of October as a possible date to visit the Committee. The Chairperson requested that Members inform Committee staff of their availability for this date and for other possible Committee visits in November.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 12 th September at 2:00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.20pm.

26 June 2007 / MENU