MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTIETH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON TUESDAY 30 APRIL 2002

Present:
Mr D Hussey (Deputy Chairman)
Mr P Berry
Mr A Doherty
Mr P McNamee
Dr D O'Hagan
Mr J Wells

Apologies:
Dr I Adamson
Sir J Gorman
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClelland

In Attendance:
Mr J Torney
Mrs M Miskelly
Mrs J McMurray
Mrs L Stevenson

The Committee met at 10.12 a.m. in private session, with the Deputy Chairman in the Chair.

1. Deputy Chairman's Introduction

The Deputy Chairman welcomed members to the thirtieth meeting of the Committee.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Dr I Adamson, Sir J Gorman, Mr K McCarthy and Mr D McClelland.

3. Declaration of Interests

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

4. Minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 30 April 2002

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 23rd April 2002. (Proposed: Mr P Berry: Seconded: Mr P McNamee).

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Committee Bill

The Deputy Chairman invited the Principal Clerk to update the Committee on progress regarding proposals to bring forward legislation to make the duties of Commissioner for Standards a statutory function of the Office of the Northern Ireland Assembly Ombudsman.

The Principal Clerk drew Members' attention to a timetable of 'Indicative Steps' which would lead to the introduction of the Committee Bill.

Members instructed the Principal Clerk to place an advertisement in local papers outlining the Committee's intention to sponsor primary legislation and inviting written comments.

6. Committee Inquiry/Review of "The Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members"

The Committee noted a revised draft of categories 7 - 11 of the Categories of Registrable Interests for its review of "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members".

The Committee continued its review of "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members" and considered draft amendments to the section dealing with the Declaration of Members' Interests. The Principal Clerk and the Clerk undertook to re examine paragraph 53 on Divisions and provide a further draft for Members' consideration.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 7May 2002 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.35 a.m.

Mr Derek Hussey MLA
Deputy Chairman