COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1st JULY 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 Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke
The meeting commenced at 2.08pm 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 25 th June 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 25 th June 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Alastair Ross
Seconded: Francie Brolly
4. Matters arising
Members noted that Mr Ian Paisley Jnr has now made the necessary registration.
5. Committee Report on a complaint against a Member
Agreed : Members discussed and agreed the draft Report.
6. Advice from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member
Agreed: Members noted that the Advice from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards had been leaked. Following discussion the Committee agreed that the Clerk should draw up a paper for consideration at a future meeting outlining options to minimise the possibility of advice being leaked in the future.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed that a Press Release condemning the leaking of the advice should be issued.
Members noted the contents of the Advice received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member.
2.35pm Mr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie joined the meeting.
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.
The Interim Commissioner put on the record his concern about the leaking of his advice.
The Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards updated the Committee on outstanding issues and wished the Chairperson well in her new role as a member of the Assembly Commission.
2.50pm Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting.
Agreed : Following discussion the Committee agreed that, as per the advice of the Interim Commissioner, the conduct complained of did not represent a breach of the Code and that a draft Committee Report on the complaint should be prepared by the Clerk for consideration by the Committee at the next meeting.
7. Any other business
Members noted a copy of a letter from the Speaker to all party leaders on the review of guidance in the Members Financial Services Handbook.
Members also noted a press release which was issued by the Assembly setting out the guiding principles which will underpin the above review.
8. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 2 nd July 2009 in the Senate Chamber at 12.00 noon.The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.14pm.