COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 10th JUNE 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Jonathan Craig
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 Francie Brolly
Mr David Hilditch
The meeting commenced at 2.03pm 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.
2.06pm Mr Clarke joined the meeting
2.08pm Mr Maskey joined the meeting
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 th June 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 10 th June 2009 were approved by the Committee.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Outstanding issues on the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members
Agreed: Following discussion on the application of the Code of Conduct to Ministers the Committee agreed that the following form of words should be included in the Code of Conduct :-
“The requirements of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct continue to apply to the conduct of Ministers. In addition, Ministers are also subject to the Ministerial Code of Conduct in order to ensure that, inter alia, no conflict arises, nor appears to arise, between their private interests and their public duties. The Committee on Standards and Privileges will not investigate alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code of Conduct. Neither will the Committee on Standards and Privileges investigate an alleged breach of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct in respect of the conduct of Ministers, where such an allegation is essentially an allegation that falls within the scope of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and where the allegation does not clearly overlap with the Minister’s conduct and duties as a Member” .
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that the Clerk should draft a form of words for inclusion in the Report reflecting that the Committee has written to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the issue of introducing a mechanism for investigating complaints that the Ministerial Code of Conduct has been breached.
2.27pm Mr Wilson left the meeting
Agreed: Following discussion on the requirement for MLAs to register details about outside earnings, the Committee agreed that Categories 1, 2 and 3 should be amended as set out in the Clerk’s paper. The Committee further agreed that the threshold within these categories should be set at 0.5% in line with other thresholds within the Code.
Agreed: Following discussion on recent developments in respect of proposals relating to the regulation of the conduct of MPs, the Committee agreed their report should include the suggested recommendation as set out in the Clerk’s paper, and should also refer to the fact that the Committee will continue to monitor best practice.
Agreed: Members considered issues raised by the Electoral Commission and agreed with the recommendations outlined in the Clerk’s paper.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that the references within the Code to ‘Office Cost Allowance’ should be replaced with the phrase ‘any Assembly Members’ Allowance.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that there should be two separate categories in the Code for ‘Miscellaneous’ and ‘Unremunerated Interests’.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that the Committee only proposes that the rectification procedure be used in response to complaints, and where Members bring inadvertent failures to the attention of the Clerk they are updated without any reference to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards or the Committee.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that in order to make the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members consistent with the requirement of Standing Orders the line concerning the declaration of interests of immediate relatives should read :
“Members should declare known relevant interests, financial or otherwise, of immediate relatives ….”
Agreed: Members agreed that the motion agreed at the last meeting of the Committee should be changed to read:
“That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges, Report No. NIA 136/08-09, and agrees the Northern Ireland Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members, included at Annex A of that Report.”
6. Correspondence
Agreed: Members noted correspondence received from the Electoral Commission and agreed that the Clerk should write to the Electoral Commission informing them of the decisions taken by the Committee at today’s meeting.
3.10pm Mr Savage left the meeting
7. Any other business
Members noted that the Committee on Standards in Public Life are meeting in Belfast on 1 st July 2009 in the Hilton Hotel as part of their inquiry into MPs’ expenses.
Members noted a Press Release by the Assembly Commission which announced a Review of the Members’ Financial Services Handbook.
Agreed: Members noted that the Report on the Code of Conduct will be agreed at the next meeting.
8. 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 3.14pm.