COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Ruth Barry (Assembly Research) (Item 6)
Mr Gerard Rosato (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 2.00pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed that today’s meeting be held in open session with the exception of Agenda Item 8 which would be held in closed session at the end of the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies as 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.
The Chairperson declared an interest in Agenda Item 8.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 rd September 2009
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 rd September 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed: Mr Paul Maskey
Seconded: Rev Robert Coulter
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Preparation for the introduction of the new Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the new Members’ Interests Registration Form, as amended.
The Clerk delivered a draft presentation on the introduction of the new Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the format of the draft presentation, as amended.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft Committee Press Release entitled ‘New Code of Conduct for MLAs comes into effect today’, as amended, embargoed until 12th October 2009.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft All Party Notice on the new Code of Conduct.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the draft Protocols on the Handling of Complaints by the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards, as amended. The Committee also agreed a draft letter from the Chairperson to the Interim Commissioner.
6. Parliamentary Standards Act
3.15pm The Chairperson welcomed Miss Ruth Barry, Assembly Research and invited her to present the Assembly Research Paper on the Parliamentary Standards Act.
The Chairperson thanked Miss Barry for her presentation.
7. Correspondence from the Committee on Procedures
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed the draft response to the Committee on Procedures.
8. Any other business
The Chairperson informed Members that as he had declared an interest in agenda item 8, he would be leaving the meeting and that the item would be held in closed session at the end of the meeting.
Agreed: A Member raised the issue of moving the Committee meeting to a different day. Following discussion it was agreed that the Clerk would prepare an Options Paper.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 14 th October 2009 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
3.30pm Mr O’Loan left the meeting and the meeting went into closed session.
As the Deputy Chairperson was not present the Clerk took the Chair and called for proposals for a temporary Chairperson. Mr Clarke proposed that Mr Ross take the Chair and Mr Maskey seconded the proposal. As there were no further nominees the Clerk invited Mr Ross to take the Chair.
3.31pm The Committee adjourned.
3.32pm The meeting reconvened.
10. Advice on Options for Correspondence
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper on Advice on Options for Correspondence.
Agreed : Following discussion it was agreed that the Committee adopt option (b) of the Clerk’s Paper. It was further agreed that the Clerk write to the correspondent advising them accordingly.
The Temporary Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.40pm.