PRESS RELEASE

25 November 2009

SP 02/09/10

NEW ASSEMBLY REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS PUBLISHED

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Standards and Privileges Committee today published its new Register of Members’ Interests.

Welcoming its publication, the Chair of the Standards and Privileges Committee, Declan O’Loan said: “Openness at the Assembly is essential to ensure public confidence. I therefore welcome the publication of the new Register of Members’ Interests which further increases transparency at the Assembly.

“Publishing this Register ensures that the public can see that there is no conflict between Members’ personal interests and their public duties.”

The Deputy Chair of the Committee, Willie Clarke said: “I too welcome the publication of the new Register. For the first time, Members have been required to register all outside remuneration received, hours worked in relation to such remuneration, and family members who benefit in any way from Assembly allowances. I believe the public will welcome this greater transparency”

ENDS

Notes for Editor:

1. The Assembly agreed the new Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members on 23 June 2009. This Code came into effect on 12 October 2009 and this Register of Members’ Interests arises from it.

2. The new Register of Members’ Interests will be accessible from 7.00am on Thursday 26 November 2009 on the Northern Ireland Assembly website at: http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/members/expenses/register_home.htm

3. The Register contains twelve categories of registrable interest. Where a Member acquires a registrable interest he or she is required to register it under the appropriate category within 28 days.

4. Members holding remunerated mandates outside of the Assembly have registered the number of hours they work in respect of these mandates. The Committee has recognised that it may be difficult to distinguish hours worked exclusively on these interests as an overlap of duties often occurs with the role of Assembly Member.

5. The requirement to register remuneration received, corresponding hours worked and family members benefiting from allowances applies to all Members in respect of the position from 12 October 2009.

6. Enquiries about the work of the Committee should be directed to the Clerk of the Committee, Paul Gill, Room 284, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX. Telephone 028 9052 0333 or Mobile: 07733 128131.

For any media enquiries, please contact:

Debra Savage
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly,
Communications Office,
Telephone: 028 90521405/9052 1137
Mobile: 07920 864221
Email: Debra.Savage@niassembly.gov.uk or info.office@niassembly.gov.uk