COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 15TH OCTOBER 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Clerk)
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apology:
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 2.02pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting. The Chairperson also issued a warm welcome on behalf of members to Mr Trevor Reaney the new Clerk/Director General of the Assembly who attended the meeting to observe the proceedings.
1. Apologies
Apology 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 1 st October 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 1 st October 2008 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr Willie Clarke
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Review of the Code of Conduct
Members noted the background paper prepared by the Clerk on the Scope of the Code of Conduct to Volume 2 of the Code of Conduct.
2.12pm Brian Wilson joined the meeting.
Agreed: Following discussion on defining how the scope of the Code extends to political opinion Members agreed Option 3 as outlined in the Clerk’s paper.
Agreed: Following discussion Members agreed that the scope of the Code be redrafted so that it covers ‘the conduct of all Members with respect to anything Members say or do in their capacity as an MLA’.
Agreed: Members agreed that, as it has already been agreed that each of the Principles of conduct will be moved in to Volume 2, it was not necessary to consider the issue of the repetition of ‘Public Duty’.
2.20pm Mr Ross left the meeting.
2.21pm Mr Ross returned to the meeting.
Members noted the background paper prepared by the Clerk on registrable interests and voting.
Following discussion a minority of Members supported a proposal to adopt Option 1 of the Clerk’s paper.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk should seek further clarification on the issue to inform further discussion at the next meeting.
Members noted the background paper prepared by the Clerk on Categories 5 – 7 of the Code of Conduct.
Agreed: Members agreed that the issues raised in the paper should be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.
6. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received.
7. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: Members agreed that a visit to the Standards and Privileges Committee and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in the Westminster Parliament should be arranged. It was agreed that the Clerk should look at the possibility of the visit taking place on Wednesday, 19 November 2008.
3.09pm The Committee moved into closed session
8. Any other business
Agreed: Members noted and agreed the contents of a draft letter responding to a complainant.
Agreed: Members received an update from the Clerk on a recent meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and agreed that legal advice should be sought on the issues raised.
Members noted that a further complaint against a Member had been received and forwarded to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
9. Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5th November 2008 at 2.00pm in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting a t 3.11pm .