COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 01 APRIL 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Damien Martin (Clerk Assistant)
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Carla Campbell (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss Paula McManus (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 2.02pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies 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 11 th March 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 th March 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Allan Bresland
Seconded: Rev Robert Coulter
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Advice from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on complaints against Members
Members noted the contents of correspondence received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on complaints against three Members.
Agreed: Members confirmed that they were content that correspondence received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards had been redacted.
2.20pm Mr Wilson joined the meeting
Members discussed a paper prepared by the Clerk.
2.33pm Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards, and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, Ombudsman’s Office, joined the meeting.
Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie gave evidence to the Committee on complaints against three Members.
2.47pm Rev Coulter left the meeting.
2.57pm Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting.
3.02pm Mr Maskey left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed with the Interim Commissioner’s advice on a complaint against a Member which found that the Member had not breached the Code. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should write to the complainant accordingly and that a copy of the complainant’s letter should be sent to the Assembly’s Director of Resources to address.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that with regard to unsubstantiated complaints under paragraph 66, the Committee would be content for the Interim Commissioner to approach the complainant (rather than the Committee) to advise that they need to assemble supporting evidence.
Agreed: Members discussed the issue of complaints that Ministers have breached the Assembly’s Code of Conduct and agreed that further consideration should be given to this issue. The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should consider how the issue is dealt with elsewhere, that he should liaise with the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, and that the matter should be considered at a later meeting.
Agreed : That the Clerk should write to the Interim Commissioner, providing him with an update on what had been agreed and advising that, with regard to the unsubstantiated complaint that had been received, he should write back to the complainant.
6. Consideration of a deferred investigation into a complaint against a Member
Agreed: Members agreed that, further to having received the necessary confirmation from the PSNI, the Interim Commissioner should be asked to recommence his deferred investigation into a complaint against a Member.
7. Correspondence
Agreed: Members agreed the contents of a draft letter to The Electoral Commission setting out the Committee’s current position on dual reporting.
Members noted the contents of a letter from Ms Sue Ramsey MLA, Chairperson, Committee for Employment and Learning suggesting that Members may wish to consider hosting a disabled person for a work-shadowing placement during Disability Week, 22 nd to 28 th June, 2009.
8. Any other business
The Clerk updated the Committee on his discussions with Legal Services on the issue of the suspension of salary as a possible sanction.
The Clerk informed the Committee that a further complaint had been received and has been referred to the Interim Assembly Commission for Standards.
Members noted that Miss Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor is leaving the Standards and Privileges Committee office to work in another work area within the Assembly. The Chairperson and Members expressed their thanks to Carla for her hard work and dedication and wished her well in the future.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 22 nd April 2009 in room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.15pm.