COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 6th MAY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
The meeting commenced at 2.03pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Deputy 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 30 th April 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 30 th April 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr David Hilditch
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Report from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on complaints against Members
Members noted the contents of a Report received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member.
2.07pm The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, Ombudsman’s Office and invited them to make a presentation to the Committee. After the presentation Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie answered a number of questions from the Committee.
2.22pm Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting.
2.25pm Mr Maskey left the meeting.
2.27pm Mr Maskey returned to the meeting.
2.29pm Mr Maskey left the meeting.
2.31pm Mr Maskey returned to the meeting.
Agreed : The Committee agreed with the conclusions in the Interim Commissioner’s Report.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the draft Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Commission about an issue identified by the Interim Commissioner.
6. Any other business
Agreed: The Committee agreed that, where possible over the next few weeks, consideration should be given to having fewer meetings.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 20 th May 2009 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.38pm.