COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 16TH JANUARY 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Alex Easton
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Francie Brolly
In Attendance: Dr Kevin Pelan (Clerk to the Committee)
Miss Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Gerry McHugh
The meeting opened at 2.08pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the seventeenth meeting of the Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed to hold the meeting in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2008.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 9th January 2008.
4. Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising.
5. Review of the ‘Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members’: “Advocacy”.
Members considered a paper on the ‘Advocacy’ section of the Guide.
Mr Ross joined the meeting at 2.13pm
Agreed: Members agreed to adopt the suggested amendments and that these be included in the draft consultation document.
6. AOB.
The Clerk provided the Committee with an update on his meeting with the Electoral Commission in regards to the impact of the new donations legislation on the categories of registrable interest and possible dual reporting arrangements.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk continue to pursue these issues with the Electoral Commission and update the Committee on progress.
The Clerk informed the Committee of the remaining sections of the Guide yet to be reviewed.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee will meet on a fortnightly basis but that it would reconvene sooner should any urgent issues arise.
7. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 30th January at 2:00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.21 pm.