COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 2ND FEBRUARY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
In Attendance: Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Lindsay Dundas (Clerical Officer)
Apology: Mr Brian Wilson
The meeting commenced at 10.04am in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apology as 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 28th January 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 28th January 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr Willie Clarke
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Report by the Interim Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member
10.10am Mr Brolly and the Reverend Coulter joined the Committee.
The Member who was the subject of the Report appeared before the Committee.
Following discussion Mr Ross, seconded by Reverend Coulter, put the proposal that the Member should make an apology to the Assembly in the Chamber.
The Chairperson put the question: that the Member should make an apology to the Assembly in the Chamber.
The Committee divided –
AYES ABSTENTIONS
Mrs Hanna Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Bresland Mr Willie Clarke
Reverend Coulter Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Craig
Mr Hilditch
Mr Ross
Mr Savage
The motion was carried.
Mr Maskey, Mr Clarke and Mr Brolly abstained as they believed a decision should be deferred until clarification was sought as to whether the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards had sought legal advice on matters within his report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed its Report for publication. Members further agreed that the Complainant and the Member who was the subject of the complaint should be given an advance copy of the Report.
Mr Maskey, Mr Clarke and Mr Brolly did not agree to the Report as they believed that further clarification was needed as to whether the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards had sought legal advice.
6. Any other business
All Party Group on Diabetes
Mrs Hanna and Mr Bresland declared an interest in this item.
The Committee approved the formation of the All Party Assembly Group on Diabetes.
7. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 11th February 2009 at 2.00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10.58am.