Assembly Committee Considers Legislation on MLAs Pay and Standards

A Northern Ireland Assembly Ad Hoc Committee has been set up to consider new legislation on MLA salaries, pensions and standards.

The Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill will enable an independent panel to be established which will determine the salaries, pensions and financial support for MLAs. Once passed, the Bill will also set out the role of Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards.

Commenting on the Committee’s plans, Chairperson Fred Cobain MLA said: “This proposed legislation will improve transparency by having an independent panel set the levels of pay for MLAs. The Bill will also enable an Assembly Commissioner for Standards to be appointed. The Commissioner’s role will be to ensure that MLAs are fully accountable and that the public can have confidence that there is an independent and objective process for investigation complaints about MLAs.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Bill was established on 23 November 2010 by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

A consultation on the Bill was launched on 17 November 2010. The Committee is keen to hear from anyone with a view on the legislation and welcomes written comments by Friday 3 December 2010.

The Members of the Committee are:

Fred Cobain MLA 
John Dallat MLA 
Paul Givan MLA 
Kieran McCarthy MLA 
Jim Wells MLA 
Sue Ramsey MLA 
Daithi McKay MLA

Written comments on the draft legislation should be sent to:

Committee Clerk 
Room 430 Parliament Buildings 
Ballymiscaw, Stormont 
Belfast BT4 3XX 
Tel: 028 90 521670 
Email: ah.financialreviewandstandards@niassembly.gov.uk

A copy of the draft legislation and relevant explanatory document are available here.

For media enquiries please contact:

Debra Savage 
Communications Officer 
Northern Ireland Assembly 
Tel: 02890 521405 
Mobile: 07920 864221 
Email: debra.savage@niassembly.gov.uk