COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY, 2010
ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present: Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Reverend Dr Robert Coulter
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr Brian Wilson
In Attendance: Mr Trevor Reaney (Clerk/Director General) (Item 5)
Mr Tony Logue (Clerk to the Assembly Commission) (Item 5)
Ms Tara Caul (Senior Legal Adviser) (Item 6)
Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)
Apologies: Allan Bresland
Mr Billy Leonard
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr George Savage
The meeting commenced at 1.15pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.
Agreed: Members agreed that the meeting would be held in open session for agenda items 1 – 5 and would go into closed session for item 6.
1. Apologies
Apologies as listed 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 17th February 2010
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 17th February 2010 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters arising
There were no other matters arising.
5. 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: Advice from the Clerk/Director General
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Trevor Reaney, Clerk/Director General and Mr Tony Logue, Clerk to the Commission and invited Mr Reaney to address the Committee.
1.21pm Mr Ross left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk/Director General should submit a Paper to the Committee on the issues raised in his Advice.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Mr Reaney for his Advice.
1.56pm The Committee moved into closed session.
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: Legal Advice
Members noted the Paper from Legal Services.
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Tara Caul, Senior Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services and invited her to present the Legal Paper.
Following a question and answer session the Chairperson thanked Ms Caul for attending.
7. Correspondence
Agreed: Members noted correspondence received from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and agreed to forward a copy to the Assembly Commission.
8. Any other business
There was no other business.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
The next meeting will take place at 1.15pm on Wednesday 10th March 2010 in Room 144, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.25pm.