COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 14th November 2007
Room 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Alex Easton
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Dr Kevin Pelan
Miss Eleanor Murphy
Miss Carla Campbell
Mr Lindsay Dundas
Apologies:
Mr Gerry McHugh
The meeting opened at 1.05pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction.
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the eleventh meeting of the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold the meeting in public session.
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Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
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Declaration of Interests.
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
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Draft minutes of the meeting held on 7 th November 2007.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 7th November 2007.
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Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising.
Rev Coulter joined the meeting at 1:10pm
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Draft Code of Conduct – amendments to date
The Committee considered a paper which provided an overview of Members’ suggested amendments to each of the sections of the draft “Code of Conduct”.
Mr Brolly joined the meeting at 1:17pm
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 1:38pm
Mr Clarke left the meeting at 1:40pm
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 2:05pmAgreed: Members agreed that the Clerk liaise with the Clerk of the Committee on Procedures in relation to Standing Order 65.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk liaise with the Speaker’s Office to clarify a number of issues relating to sanctions.
Agreed: Members agreed to invite the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards to a future meeting to discuss procedural options for reporting alleged criminal matters to the police.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk discuss with Legal Services procedures for reporting suspected criminal offences that may emerge during the course of an investigation by the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
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Trip to National Assembly for Wales.
The Clerk informed the Committee that the Standards of Conduct Committee of the National Assembly for Wales had proposed Thursday 22 nd November as a date in which the Committee could visit as part of its Review of the Code of Conduct.
Agreed: Members agreed that due to inconvenient flight times and the unavailability of some Members due to other commitments, that the visit should be rescheduled until after Christmas recess.
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AOB.
None.
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Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 21st October at 2:00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2:45 pm.