MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH MEETING OF
THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
IN ROOM 135
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
ON TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2000

1. Declaration of Interests
2. Minutes of the Meeting of 20 June 2000
3. Matters Arising
4. Committee Enquiry
5. Correspondence from the Chairman of the Procedures Committee
6. Other Issues
7. Date of Next Meeting

Present:Mr D McClelland (Chairman)
Mr R Beggs Jnr (Deputy Chairman)
Dr I Adamson
Mr A Doherty
Mr K McCarthy
Mr P McNamee
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr E Poots
Mr J Wells

In Attendance:Mr J TorneyDr D Kay
Mrs C DarrahMrs D Williams

The Committee met at 10.10 a.m. in private session.

1.Declaration of Interests

The Chairman reminded members of their obligation to declare any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.

2.Minutes of the Meeting of 20 June 2000

The minutes were proposed by Dr I Adamson and seconded by Mr A Doherty as an accurate record of the last meeting of the Committee.

1. The Chairman advised the Committee that three members had notified the Clerk of changes to their entries in the Register of Members' Interests.
2. The Committee agreed that an updated Register of Members' Interests would be republished before the summer recess.

Mr E Poots joined the meeting at 10.18 a.m.

3. The Committee noted that a summary of the regulations governing gifts, benefits and hospitality to Members that had been circulated.

4.Committee Enquiry into the possible appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards

The Committee noted draft terms of reference for the Committee Enquiry into the possible appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards and a draft press release that had been circulated. Following a discussion the Committee resolved that:

1. The Press Release should be issued.
2. A Notice should be placed in provincial papers advising of the Committee's intention to undertake the enquiry in the Autumn and inviting the submission of memoranda by interested organisations and individuals.
3. The Clerk will identify witnesses from whom the Committee will take evidence.
4. The Clerk will prepare a paper on procedures and practices in other legislatures.

The Committee considered a draft response to the Chairman of the Procedures Committee, Mr Conor Murphy, about additional Standing Orders that had been circulated. The Committee agreed that the Chairman should issue the response to Mr Murphy.

The Committee considered three other issues referred to it. Appropriate action to be taken on each was agreed by the Committee.

It was agreed that the Committee would meet after the summer recess.

The meeting concluded at 10.35 a.m.