COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Damien Martin (Clerk Assistant)
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Willie Clarke
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Jonathan Craig
The meeting commenced at 2.04pm in open 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 6 th May 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 6 th May 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded: Mr Brian Wilson
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Outstanding issues on the Code of Conduct and Guide Relating to the Conduct of Members
Agreed: Following discussion on the application of the Code of Conduct to Ministers, the Committee agreed that the Clerk should seek further clarification from the Office of the First and deputy First Minister and the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. The Committee further agreed that the Clerk should draft ‘a form of words’ for consideration by Members at the next meeting of the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed in principle that the new Code of Conduct should require Members to register all outside earnings and the time spent in relation to these. However the Committee agreed that further consideration needed to be given to the technicalities on how such entries should appear in the Register and that the Clerk should liaise with the House of Commons’ authorities to establish how they propose to deal with such issues.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee’s Report on the Review of the Northern Ireland Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members should be debated in Plenary before Summer Recess.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the following Motion should be laid in the Business Office –
That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges ordered for printing on [date], Report No. NIA 136/08-09, and the Northern Ireland Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members included at Annex A.
6. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence with the Speaker on the Assembly’s rules governing the use of Office Cost Allowances.
Members noted that a new Committee Members’ Expenses Claim form has been introduced for Members use when claiming expenses incurred on Committee business.
7. Any other business
There was no other business.
3.04pm The meeting moved into Closed Session
8. Advice from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member
Members noted correspondence from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member. The Commissioner advised that the issues raised by the complainant had been covered substantially in two previous Committee Reports and that he considered that there was nothing further which could be added.
Agreed: The Committee agreed with the Commissioner’s advice. The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should write to the complainant referring him to the two previous Committee Reports and advising him that the Committee agreed with the Interim Commissioner’s advice.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 10 th June 2009 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.07pm.