COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 13TH JANUARY, 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Billy Leonard
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Danielle Best (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Miss Rae Browne (Assembly Research (Item 5))
Apologies:
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Paul Maskey
Rev Robert Coulter
The meeting commenced at 1.18pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies as above.
2. Declaration of Interests
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 9 th December 2009 and 11 th January 2010
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 9 th December 2009 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed:Mr Willie Clarke
Seconded:Mr Brian Wilson
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 11 th January 2010 were approved by the Committee.
Proposed:Mr Alastair Ross
Seconded:Mr Brian Wilson
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising out of the minutes of 9 th December 2009.
The Clerk informed the meeting that all the correspondence agreed at the last meeting of the Committee on 11 th January 2010 has now been issued.
5. Update on Inquiry on enforcing the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members and the appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards
The Committee noted written submissions and correspondence received on the Inquiry.
The Chairperson welcomed Miss Rae Browne, Assembly Research and invited her to present her Research Paper.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Miss Browne for her very comprehensive Research Paper and presentation.
Members noted that as part of the consultation process the Committee would travel to Dublin to meet with Dáil Éireann’s Standards in Public Office Commission and the Committee on Members’ Interests. Members were asked to note a provisional date of 3 rd February 2010 for the visit.
6. Correspondence
Members noted correspondence received from the Speaker.
Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that the Chairperson should meet with the Speaker and that the Chair should include in that discussion the points set out in the tabled Clerk’s Paper.
7. Any other business
There was no other business.
8. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 1.15pm on Wednesday 27 th January 2010 in room 144, Parliament Buildings. Lunch will be available from 1.00pm.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.32pm.