MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWENTIETH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2001

Present:
Mr D McClelland (Chairman)
Dr I Adamson
Mr R Beggs Jnr
Mr A Doherty
Sir J Gorman
Mr K McCarthy


Apologies:
Mr P Berry
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells

In Attendance:
Mrs M Miskelly
Mrs J McMurray
Mr J Wright

The Committee met at 10.10am in private session.

1. Chairman's Introduction

The Chairman welcomed Members to the twentieth meeting of the Committee. Members instructed the Clerk to pass their good wishes to Mr Torney wishing him a speedy recovery.

2. Declaration of Interests

The Chairman reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each committee meeting.

3. Minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 6 November 2001.

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 6th November 2001. (Proposed: Mr A Doherty, Seconded: Dr I Adamson)

4. Publication of Updated Register of Members' Interests.

The Committee noted that the Clerk had circulated to each Assembly Member a copy of their entry in the new edition of the Register prior to printing and had asked that any final changes or amendments are advised by Monday 26th November.

Sir John Gorman joined the meeting at 10.12 am.

5. Follow up to Appointment of Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

The Committee noted a letter from the Clerk to the Clerk to the Assembly Commission detailing the Committee's recommendation on the position of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

The Clerk advised Members that the Assembly Commission is content with the Committee's approach. The Speaker, in his role as Chairman of the Assembly Commission, is to write to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister outlining the Committee's recommendation that the post of Commissioner for Standards become a statutory function of the Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman. The Speaker will also write to the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman, to ask if he is willing to investigate complaints against Assembly Members on a case by case basis pending the outcome of the Commission's approach to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Dr I Adamson left the meeting at 10.24am.

6. Any Other Business

The Clerk advised Members of two other issues referred to the Principal Clerk of Standards. Appropriate action to be taken on each was agreed by the Committee.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee provisionally agreed to meet on Tuesday 4th December at 10.00am. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.27am.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman