Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2007/2008
Date: 07 November 2007
Venue: Room 135, Parliament Buildings
The meeting opened at 2:04pm in closed session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the tenth 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 any relevant pecuniary or other interests before and during each Committee meeting.
Mr McHugh and Mr Brolly joined the meeting at 2:06pm
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 th October 2007.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 17 th October 2007.
4. Matters Arising.
There were no matters arising.
5. Report by the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
Mr MacQuarrie joined the meeting at 2:09pm
The Chairperson welcomed Mr MacQuarrie to the meeting.
Mr Clarke joined the meeting at 2:13pm
Mr MacQuarrie made a presentation to the Committee on the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards report relating to a complaint received by the Committee. Following the presentation, Members discussed with Mr MacQuarrie a number of issues raised in the report.
Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting at 2:19pm
The Chairperson invited Members to make further comment on the conclusions of the Interim Commissioner’s Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to adopt the conclusions of the Interim Commissioner’s Report and to notify the Speaker’s Office of the outcome of its deliberations.
6. Review of the Code of Conduct: Draft Revised Complaints Procedure.
The Committee explored at length a draft paper on a revised procedure for dealing with complaints against Assembly Members. Members suggested a number of changes to the proposed revised procedure.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk prepare a revised paper taking account of the Committee’s deliberations and that this should be presented at the next meeting.
Mr Easton left the meeting at 2:25pm
Mr Brolly left the meeting at 3:27pm
7. Background Paper on Complaints Procedures in other Jurisdictions.
Members noted a background paper detailing the complaints procedures in the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons, the National Assembly for Wales and Dáil Éireann.
8. Press Release.
Members considered the content of a draft press release relating to the Committee’s visit to the Scottish Parliament Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the press release be issued.
9. AOB.
All Party Groups
The Chairperson informed Members four All Party Groups are currently registered with the Clerk - the All Party Group on International Development, the All Party Assembly Group on Children and Young People, the All Party Assembly Group on Roads Safety and the All Party Pro-Life Assembly Group.
The Chairperson declared an interest as the Chairperson of the All Party Group on International Development and the Chairperson of the forthcoming All Party Group on Diabetes.
Complaint
The Chairperson informed Members that the Committee had received a new complaint, and that in accordance with procedures, this had been forwarded to the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
Data Protection Register
The Chairperson reminded Members to ensure that they are registered as Data Controllers on the Data Protection Public Register.
Mr Hilditch left the meeting at 3:45pm.
Invitation from CoSO
Members noted an invitation from CoSO to attend a conference on ‘Sexual Orientation, Equality, Human Rights and Our Shared Future” in the Stormont Hotel, 17 November 2007.
Register of Members’ Interests
The Clerk advised Members that there was a need to put in place more formal arrangements for Members registering new interests or making amendments to their current interests. The Clerk proposed that this should be done by the Member lodging a written statement with Committee staff informing them of any new interest or amendment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk issue a letter to all Members requesting that they register any new interests or changes to their current interests in writing.
10. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 th November 2007 at 1:00pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 3.50pm.
