COMMITTEE VISITS THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT STANDARDS, PROCEDURES AND PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

The Committee on Standards and Privileges met with the Scottish Parliament Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on Wednesday 24th October as part of its ongoing Review of the Northern Ireland Assembly “Code of Conduct” and “The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members”.

The Committee, accompanied by the Northern Ireland Assembly Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards, Mr Tom Frawley, also met with the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Dr Jim Dyer.

Speaking of the visit, the Chairperson of the Committee Carmel Hanna said:

“The Committee on Standards and Privileges is currently conducting a review of the Northern Ireland Assembly Code and Guide. It is essential that the Assembly has a Code of Conduct and Guide that is relevant, clear and transparent if confidence in Members and the institution itself is to be maintained. The general public must be assured that a robust mechanism exists that will hold Members of the Assembly to account for their conduct when carrying out Assembly duties.

Liaising with colleagues in other jurisdictions that have already developed and reviewed their own codes of conduct provides a valuable insight into the issues that we will need to consider in the review of the Assembly’s Code of Conduct. On behalf of the Committee on Standards and Privileges I would like therefore to offer my gratitude to The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee of the Scottish Parliament for its openness in sharing its knowledge on common issues and for its hospitality”.

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 284, 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