COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 27TH JANUARY, 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Trevor Clarke
Reverend Coulter
Mr Billy Leonard
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Thomas Buchanan
r
The meeting commenced at 1.15pm in closed 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 13 th January 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 13 th January 2010 were agreed by the Committee, as amended.
4. Matters arising
The Chairperson updated Members on his meeting with the Speaker. Members noted that a written submission had been received from the Assembly Commission.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Director General should be invited to brief the Committee on the Commission’s review of pay, pensions and financial support for Members.
5. Correspondence from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Members noted two pieces of correspondence received from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
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 Dr Frawley to brief the Committee on the correspondence.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie for attending the meeting.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to write to Mr Robinson MLA and Mrs Robinson informing them that the Committee has agreed that the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards should suspend his investigation until the outcome of the Police Service for Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) investigation is known.
2.05pm Mr Ross left the meeting
Following discussion the Chairperson proposed that the Committee issue a press release.
The Committee divided:-
| AYES | NOES |
|---|---|
| Mr Declan O’Loan | Mr Allan Bresland |
| Mr Willie Clarke | Mr Trevor Clarke |
| Mr Billy Leonard | |
| Mr Paul Maskey | |
| Mr George Savage | |
| Mr Brian Wilson |
The proposal was carried.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the content of a press release.
Agreed: Following discussion on the second piece of correspondence the Committee agreed to write to the complainant and the Member who is the subject of the complaint informing them that the Committee has agreed that the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards should suspend his investigation of the complaint until the outcome of the legal proceedings is known.
The Committee noted that the Clerk was in contact with the PSNI to arrange a meeting to clarify formally the respective responsibilities of the PSNI and the Assembly Commissioner for Standards and to put in place procedures which should be followed in any future instances where a complaint against a Member raises questions of criminal liability.
6. Correspondence from the Environment Committee
Agreed: The Committee noted correspondence received from the Environment Committee and agreed that the Clerk should write to the Environment Committee setting out what the Committee has agreed at today’s meeting.
7. Visit to Dáil Éireann – 3 rd February 2010
Agreed: Members noted and agreed the draft Programme for the visit.
2.32pm The meeting went into Open Session
8. Analysis of issues emerging from the written evidence on the 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
Members noted further written submissions received.
Members noted the issues emerging from written responses to the Inquiry Consultation as outlined in the Clerk’s paper.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek legal advice on the issue of an appeals procedure and the impact of placing the Commissioner on a statutory basis in relation to the potential for judicial reviews.
2.40pm Reverend Coulter joined the meeting.
9. Any other business
There was no other business.
10. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 1.15pm on Wednesday 10 th February 2010 in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings. Lunch will be available from 1.00pm. The Committee will conduct an oral evidence session with the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Chair of the National Assembly for Wales’ Committee on Standards, Mr Jeff Cuthbert AM.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.48pm.