Minutes of Proceedings

The Committee met at 10.02am in private session.

1. Chairman's Introduction

The Chairman welcomed members to the twenty-fifth meeting of the Committee.

Mr Roy Beggs joined the meeting at 10.04 a.m.
Dr I Adamson joined the meeting at 10.05 a.m.

The Principal Clerk informed the Committee that, due to the rotation of Committee staff, he would be transferring to another post within the Assembly.

The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman conveyed their thanks to Mr Torney for his invaluable contribution to the work of the Committee.

The Chairman also conveyed thanks to Mr Roy Beggs who is to be replaced by Mr Derek Hussey on the Committee. Tribute was paid to Mr Beggs for his contribution to the Committee on Standards and Privileges and for the extremely competent manner in which he carried out his role as Deputy Chairman.

2. Apologies

Apology received from Dr D O'Hagan.

3. Declaration of Interests

The 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 12 February 2002.

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 12th February 2002. (Proposed: Mr P McNamee, Seconded: Dr I Adamson )

5. Matters arising from the minutes

Declaration of Members' Interests.

The Committee noted a minute which had been circulated to all Assembly Members reminding them of their obligation to declare relevant interests when participating in committee and plenary business and when tabling questions or amendments.

Members voiced concerns that some Assembly Members had still not registered their membership of local councils. The Clerk was instructed to write to all Party Whips asking them to remind members that interests in this regard should be registered as a Category 2 entry in the Register of Members' Interests.

Update on complaints received about Assembly Members

The Clerk advised that the Assembly Ombudsman has received a response regarding one complaint and anticipates further progress in the near future. Another complaint is still in the preliminary stages and Members will be kept informed of progress.

6. Complaints requiring detailed investigation

Members noted that the Principal Clerk is continuing to discuss the procedures developed for the investigation of complaints against Assembly Members with the Assembly's Director of Legal Services.

The Principal Clerk advised there are no indications that the procedures would be likely to contravene the principles in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

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

The Committee considered a paper setting out the methodology and timetable for commencement of its inquiry/review of "The Code of Conduct" and "The Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members". Members agreed to the methodology and timetable proposed.

The Committee also agreed the content of a draft Press Release announcing the start of the review.

8. Sir Nigel Wicks, Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life

The Committee considered a paper providing background information on the Committee on Standards in Public Life and a programme setting out the provisional arrangements for Sir Nigel's visit on Tuesday 12 March to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Members were reminded of their invitation to lunch at 12.30 p.m. in the Members' Dining Room and of Sir Nigel's presentation to Committee Members at 3.00 p.m. in Room 135 which will be followed by a question and answer session.

9. Role and Purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group

The Committee noted a paper setting out the role and purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group.

Dr I Adamson left the meeting at 10.25 a.m.

10. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday 19 March 2002 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 10.27 a.m.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman