6th June 2007

SP 02/07

SECOND MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES

The second meeting of the Committee on Standards and Privileges was held today at Parliament Buildings under the Chairmanship of Carmel Hanna, MLA. Mr Tom Frawley, the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman, and his Deputy Mr John MacQuarrie, addressed the meeting, which focussed on the interim arrangements for dealing with complaints against Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Following discussion the Committee agreed that the interim arrangements from the previous mandate for dealing with complaints against Members should be formally re-established.

Mrs Hanna, speaking during the meeting, referred to the acknowledged independence and integrity of the Ombudsman’s Office and its experience in dealing with sensitive issues on a confidential basis,

“The Ombudsman’s Office has the investigative infrastructure and experience to investigate complaints. It is widely recognised as conducting these investigations in a totally independent, impartial and professional manner. The Committee on Standards and Privileges believes the Ombudsman’s Office can bring these values and experience to any investigation of complaints against Members of the Legislative Assembly and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the investigations”.

Notes for Editor:

The Committee on Standards and Privileges is a Standing Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Committee’s areas of responsibility include the consideration of matters relating to the conduct of members; the examination of arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members’ Interests; and the consideration of matters relating to privilege.

The membership of the Committee on Standards and Privileges are as follows:

Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chairperson)
Mr Gerry McHugh (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Francie Brolly
Mr Willie Clarke
Rev Robert Coulter
Mr Alex Easton
Mr David Hilditch
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson

All enquiries regarding the work of the Committee should be directed to the Clerk of Standards, Dr Kevin Pelan, Room 407, Parliament Buildings, Belfast, BT4 3XX (028 905 20333).
Media enquiries should be addressed to:

Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office,
Room B2, Parliament Buildings,
Belfast BT4 3XX.
Telephone 028 90521137/521396.
Fax 028 90521961.
Website Address: archive.niassembly.gov.uk
E-mail: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk