COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 11th DECEMBER 2008
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
The meeting commenced at 3.05pm in public session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
3.06pm Mr Clarke left the meeting.
-
Apologies
Apologies as detailed above.
-
Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
-
Draft minutes of the meeting held on 26 th November 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 26 th November 2008 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Jonathan Craig
Seconded: Mr Alastair Ross
3.07pm Mr Clarke returned to the meeting.
-
Matters arising
Members noted the contents of a letter dated 24 November issued by the Assembly Commission to all Party Whips on the Data Protection Act.
Agreed: Members agreed that this letter resolved the issue raised on the Data Protection Act at the last meeting of the Committee.
-
Review of the Code of Conduct
3.09pm Mr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects joined the meeting.
The Committee discussed outstanding issues on the Code with the Interim Commissioner and the Director for Standards and Special Projects in order to inform their deliberations.
3.16pm Mr Wilson left the meeting.
3.37pm Mr Wilson returned to the meeting.
3.58pm Mr Brolly left the meeting.
4.04pm Mr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting.
Following discussion the Committee –`
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to seek to get the Assembly to agree the new Code of Conduct until all outstanding issues are resolved.Agreed: The Committee agreed that complaints against Members should be made to the Interim Commissioner and that the Committee should adopt a standard ‘no comment’ policy in response to media enquires about possible breaches of the Code by Members.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee on Procedures outlining the need for the Standing Orders, in relation to Standards and Privileges, to be reviewed.
4.12pm Mr Clarke left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to formally seek legal advice to establish what the Committee’s duties are in respect of complaints that allege an offence under section 43 of the Northern Ireland Act. The Committee also agreed to seek advice from the legislators who drew up the legislation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that some further specific and limited consultation be carried out with relevant stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of the new draft Code of Conduct are fit for purpose.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members should declare known financial interests of immediate relatives if these financial interests might reasonably be thought by others to influence the Member’s speech, representation or communication in question.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that with regard to divisions and interests that would not normally be registered, these interests should be registered under Category 10 (Miscellaneous and Unremunerated Interests) with a reference to the division to which the interest relates.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that occupational pensions should be registered under Miscellaneous.
-
Any other business
Agreed: The Committee agreed an application for an All-Party Assembly Group on Funerals and Bereavement.
-
Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 th January 2009 at 2.00pm in Room 135 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 4.30pm.