COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 10TH FEBRUARY, 2010
SENATE CHAMBER, 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
In Attendance:
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
The meeting commenced at 1.19pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting. The Chairperson also extended a welcome to Mr Jeff Cuthbert AM, Chairperson of the Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly for Wales and Mr John Grimes, Committee Clerk who had travelled from Wales to give evidence as part of the Committee Inquiry.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies received.
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 27th January 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 27th January 2010 were agreed by the Committee, as amended.
4. Matters arising
The Chairperson informed the Committee that he had an issue arising from the previous meeting but that he would deal with it at the next meeting of the Committee.
There were no other matters arising.
5. Follow up on visit to Leinster House on 3rd February 2010
Agreed: Members agreed a draft letter to Mr Noel O’Flynn, Chairperson, Committee on Members’ Interests thanking him for hosting the Committee visit on 3rd February 2010. The Committee met with members of the Committee on Members’ Interests together with members of the Standards in Public Office Commission, as part of the consultation on the Committee’s Inquiry.
6. 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 the Clerk’s Paper and written submissions received.
Evidence Session – 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.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie for attending the meeting.
1.59pm Mr Willie Clarke and Mr Maskey left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should prepare an estimate of the cost involved in setting up an independent Assembly Commissioner’s office.
2.00pm Mr Savage left the meeting.
Evidence Session – The Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Felicity Huston, The Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland and invited her to brief the Committee.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Ms Huston for attending the meeting.
Evidence Session – Mr Jeff Cuthbert AM, Chairperson, Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly for Wales
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Jeff Cuthbert AM, Chairperson, Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly for Wales and Mr John Grimes, Committee Clerk, and invited Mr Cuthbert to brief the Committee.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Mr Cuthbert once again for travelling to Northern Ireland to attend the meeting.
7. Any other business
There was no other business.
8. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 2.00pm on Wednesday 17th February 2010 in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings. The Committee will hear evidence from Sir Christopher Kelly, Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. The Committee will also hear evidence from Mr Ciarán O Maolain, Head of Legal Services and Miss Angela Stevens, Caseworker at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.00pm.