COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Alex Easton
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Dr Kevin Pelan (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Eleanor Murphy (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 2.04pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed to hold agenda items 1 to 4 and items 7 to 11 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. Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising.
4. Periodic Report from the Interim Commissioner for Standards.
Mr MacQuarrie joined the meeting at 2.10pm.
The Chairperson referred Members to the Interim Commissioner’s Periodic Report and invited Mr MacQuarrie to make a presentation to the Committee on the report.
A short question and answer session followed Mr MacQuarrie’s presentation.
Agreed: Members agreed to hold agenda items 5 and 6 in closed session.
The Committee moved into closed session at 2.29pm.
5. Report by the Interim Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against Mr Basil McCrea MLA.
The Chairperson invited Mr MacQuarrie to make a presentation on the report of the Interim Commissioner for Standards.
A question and answer session followed Mr MacQuarrie’s presentation.
Agreed: That the Clerk drafts a letter of response to Mr McCrea and that the draft letter is circulated to Members by email for their comments.
Agreed: That the Clerk drafts a short synopsis of the Committee’s findings on the complaint for inclusion in the Committee’s report.
6. Letter from Interim Commissioner to the Committee in regards to a complaint.
The Committee considered correspondence from the Interim Commissioner in respect of complaints against an Assembly Member.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft letter of response to the Member who is the subject of the complaint and instructed the Clerk to write to each of the complainants.
Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting at 3.20pm.
The Committee moved into public session at 3.20pm.
7. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.
8. Review of the Code and Guide – Consultation Submissions
Members noted the contents of the submissions received in response to the Committee’s consultation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commence consideration of the submissions at the next meeting.
9. Correspondence
Members considered an application form for an All Party Assembly Group on Cancer.
The Chairperson and Brian Wilson both declared an interest as members of the group.
Agreed: Members agreed that the All Party Assembly Group on Cancer be registered and approved.
Members considered an application form for an All Party Construction Group.
Agreed: Members agreed that the All Party Construction Group be registered and approved.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should write to the Chairpersons of the All Party Groups and All Party Assembly Groups outlining the procedure for booking meeting rooms, and indicate that privileges may be withdrawn unless at least one Officer of the Group and one member of the Group (an MLA) are present at each meeting.
10. Any Other business.
There was no other business.
11. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 17 th September 2008 at 2.00pm in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.32pm.