COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
Minutes of Proceedings
WEDNESDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY 2008
ROOM 135, 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
Mrs Claire McGill
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance: Dr Kevin Pelan (Assembly Clerk)
Mrs Christine Darrah (Assembly Clerk) (in attendance for Item 7).
Miss Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened at 2.04pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the nineteenth meeting of the Committee.
Agreed: Members agreed to take items 1, 2 and 6 first and that these be held in public session. Members agreed that the remaining agenda items be held in closed session.
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies.
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.
The Chairperson welcomed Mrs Claire McGill to the Committee and invited her to declare her interests.
Mrs McGill declared the following interests:
- Member, Strabane District Council.
- Member, Strabane Employment Taskforce.
- Member, Western Education and Library Board.
3. Review of the ‘Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members’: MLAs’ employment of family members – options for registration.
The Chairperson, Rev Coulter, Mr Hilditch and Mr Savage each declared an interest.
Members noted a paper outlining possible options for registering the employment of family members. This was discussed in the context of the Committee’s review of the ‘Code of Conduct’ and the ‘Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members’.
Rev Coulter stated that he wished to make it clear that the fault in relation to this matter was not in employing family members, but rather it was in employing family members to do nothing.
Mr Ross stated that the Committee was perhaps somewhat premature in discussing this issue and recommended that the Committee postpone discussions until the outcome of the Westminster authorities’ examination of this issue including their consideration of any legal implications.
Mr Clarke and Mr Brolly stressed the importance of openness, accountability and the public’s confidence in Members.
Mr Savage stated that Members were going through a transitory phase after a period of suspension and that trust was an issue for members in the recruitment of staff.
Some Members stressed the importance of those employed by MLAs being required to meet professional standards, have the necessary qualifications and meet the competencies of the specific post.
Agreed: Members agreed that this issue should be deferred until the Committee could consider how the issue was being dealt with in other jurisdictions including awaiting the outcome of deliberations at Westminster.
The Committee moved into closed session at 2.22pm.
4. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30th January 2008.
Members discussed the omission in the draft minutes of the 30th January of a proposal by Mr Clarke regarding the Committee’s support for the integrity and impartiality of the Chairperson. The proposal was seconded by Mr Wilson.
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 2.32pm.
The Clerk informed the Committee that the proposal had not been recorded in the minutes as the motion had not been moved and there was no vote taken.
Mr Clarke stated that he wished to propose a vote in support of the Chairperson’s impartiality and integrity.
Mr Brolly rejoined the meeting at 2.41pm.
The Chairperson felt that it was inappropriate for her to remain in the meeting if a vote was being taken.
The Chairperson left the meeting at 2.53pm.
Agreed: Members agreed to suspend the meeting.
The meeting was suspended at 2.55pm.
The meeting reconvened at 3.02pm, Deputy Chairperson (Mr Clarke) in the Chair.
Mr Clarke proposed that:
‘the motion is that the Committee on Standards and Privileges acknowledges the complete impartiality and integrity of the Chair of this Committee, Mrs Carmel Hanna’.
The proposal was seconded by Mr Brolly.
The Committee divided, Ayes 5; Noes 0.
Ayes
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mrs Claire McGill
Mr George Savage
The Motion was carried.
The Chairperson rejoined the meeting and resumed the Chair at 3.06pm.
Agreed: Members agreed to defer approval of the amended draft minutes of the 30th January until the meeting of the 18th February 2008.
5. Matters Arising.
Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 3.10pm.
Members discussed the clarification article published by the Newsletter in response to the Committee’s request.
Agreed: Members agreed that while the article might have provided more clarity it had addressed a number of the points the Committee had raised and the Committee would not request further clarification.
Members discussed issues related to the Newsletter article.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk write to the Member referred to by the Newsletter to seek clarification on his communication with the paper.
Mr Savage left the meeting at 3.38pm
Mr Savage rejoined the meeting at 3.45pm
Mr Ross left the meeting at 3.52pm.
Mr Ross rejoined the meeting at 3.54pm.
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 3.55pm.
Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 4.03pm.
6. Correspondence.
Mr Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 4.05pm.
Mr Clarke left the meeting at 4.05pm.
Mr Clarke rejoined the meeting at 4.06pm.
Mrs McGill left the meeting at 4.07pm.
Members noted a draft letter of response to a Member who had queried the Committee’s handling of a complaint.
Agreed: Members agreed the content of the letter and agreed that it should be forwarded to the Member.
Members noted that the Committee had received a query from a journalist.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk would prepare draft responses and that the Committee would defer a decision on this matter until the next meeting.
Members noted correspondence from OFMDFM to the Clerk regarding the Ministerial Code of Conduct. Members noted the Clerk’s response to OFMDFM regarding the correspondence.
Rev Coulter declared an interest in the next agenda item and stated that he felt it appropriate to leave the meeting before deliberations commenced.
Rev Coulter left the meeting at 4.26pm.
7. Presentation by the Interim Commissioner for Standards.
The Clerk declared an interest. The Clerk informed Members that Mrs Christine Darrah would clerk the remainder of the meeting.
The Clerk (Dr Pelan) left the meeting at 4.28pm.
Mrs Darrah joined the meeting at 4.30pm.
The Chairperson advised Members that the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards would make a presentation to the Committee on his determination on a complaint.
Mr Frawley joined the meeting at 4.30pm.
Mr Bresland left the meeting at 4.30pm.
Mr Bresland rejoined the meeting at 4.33pm.
The Interim Commissioner presented his findings in relation to the complaint. Following the presentation Members discussed with the Interim Commissioner a number of issues relevant to the complaint.
Mr Frawley left the meeting at 4.45pm.
The Chairperson invited Members to make further comment on the conclusions of the Interim Commissioner.
Agreed: Members agreed to adopt the conclusions of the Interim Commissioner in regards to the complaint.
8. AOB.
The Chairperson informed Members that they had been invited by OFMDFM to meet with the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on 18th March 2008. The Chairperson requested that any other Member interested in attending this meeting should inform the Clerk.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, 18th February, date and time to be confirmed.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.46pm.