Minutes of Proceedings

The Committee met at 12.10pm in private session. The Deputy Chairman took the Chair.

1. Deputy Chairman's Introduction

The Deputy Chairman welcomed Members to the nineteenth meeting of the Committee.

2. 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.

3. Minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 16 October 2001.

The Committee adopted the minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 16^th October 2001. (Proposed: Mr A Doherty, Seconded: Mr J Wells)

4. Publication of Updated Register of Members' Interests.

Members were advised that the Clerk has now received all Members' Interests Registration Forms and is currently collating the details prior to printing the third edition of the Register.

The Committee instructed the Clerk to circulate to each Member a copy of their entry in the new edition of the Register prior to printing.

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

A note of a meeting the Principal Clerk had with Mrs Evelyn Collins, Chief Executive of the Equality Commission and Mr Aidan Fitzpatrick, Manager of Equality Programmes was circulated. At this meeting further advice on the position of Assembly Commissioner for Standards had been sought.

Mr D McClelland joined the meeting at 12.17p.m. and took the Chair.

Dr D O'Hagan joined the meeting at 12.20p.m.

The Committee instructed the Clerk to write to the Clerk to the Assembly Commission detailing the Committee's recommendation on the position of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

6. Amendment to the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members.

The Committee noted that the revised Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members is now available and will be issued to all Assembly Members by 9 November 2001.

7. Minutes of Proceedings of Committee Meetings held on 29 May 2001 and 12 June 2001

The Committee adopted revised minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 29 May 2001. (Proposed: Dr I Adamson, Seconded: Mr A Doherty)

The Committee adopted revised minutes of proceedings of the meeting of 12 June 2001. (Proposed Mr A Doherty, Seconded: Dr I Adamson)

8. Role and Purpose of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group.

The future role and direction of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group was discussed.

Members instructed the Principal Clerk to circulate to Members a summary of the minutes of proceedings of future meetings of the Chairpersons' Liaison Group.

9. Any Other Business

Mr Wells advised the Committee that he still intended lodging a complaint. Members were advised that complaints should be addressed in writing to the Clerk of Standards.

10. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The Committee provisionally agreed to meet on Tuesday 20 November at 10.00am. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting concluded at 12.40pm.

Mr Donovan McClelland MLA
Chairman