Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2007/2008
Date: 06 June 2007
Venue: Room 135, Parliament Buildings
The meeting opened at 2:01pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction.
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the second meeting of the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold the meeting in closed session.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Declaration of Interests.
The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare and relevant financial or other interests before and during each committee meeting.
Agreed: The updated Declarations of Interests were agreed.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 30th May 2007.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 30th May 2007.
4. Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising.
5. Correspondence.
Agreed: Members agreed the Committee’s responses to correspondence received from CiNI and the Clerk to the Assembly.
6. Presentation by the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Mr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie joined the meeting at 2:10pm
Mr Frawley made a presentation to the Committee on the work of the Office of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman and on his role as Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards during the previous mandate. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Mr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting at 2:39pm
The Chairperson reminded Members that, in the absence of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards, it was important that the Committee takes into consideration the establishment of interim arrangements for dealing with complaints against Assembly Members.
The Committee noted Mr Frawley’s willingness to continue to act as interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards which included the investigation of complaints against Members on a case-by-case basis.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland requesting that he undertake the role of Assembly Commissioner for Standards on an interim basis.
Agreed: Members considered a draft press release and agreed that it be issued.
7. Any Other Business
The Chairperson notified the Committee that a complaint against a Member has been received.
8. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 20th June at 2:00pm in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.53pm.
CARMEL HANNA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges.
20th June 2007
COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS AND PRIVILEGES
Declaration of Interests
Updated 6th June 2007
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Mrs Carmel Hanna (Chair)
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Category 8: Land and Property Member, Belfast City Council |
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Mr Gerry McHugh (Deputy Chair) |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Member, Fermanagh District Council. Category 8: Land and Property Small Farm of 23 acres, Fermanagh. Category 11: Unremunerated Interests Director, Women in Agriculture.
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Mr Allan Bresland |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Member, Strabane District Council.
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Mr Francie Brolly |
Return indicated no relevant interests to declare.
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Mr Willie Clarke |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Chairman, Down District Council. Category 11: Unremunerated InterestsMember, East Border Region Committee. |
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Rev Dr Robert Coulter
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Category 11: Unremunerated Interests Chairman, Castle Tower Special School.
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Mr Alex Easton |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Member, North Down Borough Council.
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Mr David Hilditch |
Category 1: Directorships Causeway Coast and Glens Regional Tourism Partnership (on behalf of Carrickfergus Council). Carrickfergus Development Company (on behalf of Carrickfergus Borough Council). Category 5: Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality (UK) Category 10: Miscellaneous Category 11: Unremunerated Interests
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Mr Alastair Ross
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Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Employed as a Parliamentary Researcher for Sammy Wilson, MP (employment due to terminate in a number of weeks when a replacement is found).
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Mr George Savage |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Beef and Dairy Farmer, Donaghacloney. Category 8: Land and Property Category 11: Unremunerated Interests.
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Mr Brian Wilson |
Category 2: Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc. Member, North Down Borough Council. |
