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COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES

Minutes of Proceedings

WEDNESDAY, 26th September 2007
Room 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

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

In Attendance:
Dr Kevin Pelan (Clerk to the Committee)
Ms Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Ms Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)

Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter

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

Chairperson’s Introduction.

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

Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold the meeting in public session.

  1. Apologies

Apologies are detailed above.

  1. Declaration of Interests.

The Chairperson 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 12th September 2007.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 12 th September 2007.

  1. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

  1. Committee Review of “The Code of Conduct” and “The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members”.

The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee had agreed at its last meeting to undertake a Review of the Members’ “Code of Conduct” and the “Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members” as a matter of priority.

Mr Savage joined the meeting at 2.09pm
Mr McHugh joined the meeting at 2.10pm

The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to the methodology paper in their packs and invited the Clerk to brief Members on this.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to the methodology proposed in the paper.

  1. Timetable for the Review of the Code of Conduct.

Members considered a proposed timetable for the work programme to accompany the Review.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the proposed timetable for the Review.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the timetable be published on the Assembly internet/intranet.

  1. Press Release.

Members considered the content of a draft press release announcing the commencement of the Review.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Press Release be issued.

  1. Draft Programme for the Committee’s Visit to the Scottish Parliament.

Members considered the draft programme for the Committee’s visit to the Scottish Parliament Standards and Public Appointments Committee on the 24 th October.

  1. AOB

The Chairperson informed Members that two All-Party Groups have registered with the Clerk, the All-Party Group on International Development and the All-Party Assembly Group on Children and Young People.

  1. Date, time and place of next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 th October at 2:00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.33 pm.

CARMEL HANNA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges.
10 th October 2007

12 September 07 / MENU / 10 October 07