MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY-FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON TUESDAY 7 MAY 2002

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

Apologies:
Sir J Gorman
Mr D O'Connor

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

The Committee met at 10.10 a.m. in private session, with the Deputy Chairman in the Chair.

1. Deputy Chairman's Introduction

The Deputy Chairman welcomed members to the thirty-first meeting of the Committee.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Sir J Gorman and Mr D O'Connor.

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 30th April 2002. (Proposed: Mr A Doherty: Seconded: Dr D O'Hagan).

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Legislation - Committee Bill

Members noted that a consultation advertisement inviting written memoranda on the Committee's intention to introduce primary legislation had been placed in the News Letter, Irish News and Belfast Telegraph on Tuesday 7 May.

The Bill Clerk and the Assembly Director of Legal Services joined the meeting at 10.12 a.m.

The Deputy Chairman invited the Bill Clerk and the Director of Legal Services to provide further information regarding the procedure for obtaining the services of a drafting firm to draft the Committee Bill.

The Bill Clerk advised the Committee of the contents of a proposed invitation to tender to issue to drafting firms.

The Bill Clerk and the Director of Legal Services left the meeting at 10.31 a.m.

The Committee agreed that the invitation to tender should issue to those firms approved by the Assembly Commission and instructed the Clerk accordingly.

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 the section entitled "Declaration of Members' Interests" for its review of "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members" and agreed to return to the issue of Divisions at a later meeting.

Members continued their review of "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members" and considered draft amendments to the section dealing with the Advocacy Rule.

The Clerk outlined current guidelines regarding the Advocacy Rule and appraised the Committee of proposed amendments.

The Committee agreed to consider at a future meeting the issues of Members also being members of other legislatures and local councils and Members participating or accompanying delegations.

7. Any other business

House of Commons - Committee on Standards and Privileges

Members noted that the House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges had just published its Ninth Report recommending further proposed changes to "The Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members".

The Committee instructed the Principal Clerk and the Clerk to examine the key issues contained in the Report and to report to the Committee on these at a future meeting.

Investigation of alleged breaches of Assembly Rules and Regulations

The Committee noted a minute from the Principal Clerk to the Clerk to the Assembly Commission regarding the investigation of alleged breaches of Assembly Rules and Regulations.

8. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 14 May 2002 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.51 a.m.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman