Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 1.05pm in closed session.

Chairperson’s Introduction

The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.

Agreed: Members 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.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2008.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting of the 4th June.

4. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

5. Report by the Interim Commissioner on a complaint against Ian Paisley Junior MLA

The Chairperson referred members to the Interim Commissioner’s report and emphasised the need for Members to keep focussed on those aspects of the report that related to the substance of the complaint.

Mr Wilson joined the meeting at 1.06pm. 
Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie joined the meeting at 1.07pm

The Chairperson invited the Interim Commissioner for Standards Dr Tom Frawley, who was accompanied by Mr John MacQuarrie, to make a presentation on the report.

Mr Hilditch joined the meeting at 1:11pm. 
Mr Savage joined the meeting at 1.17pm. 
Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie left the meeting at 1.36pm.

A discussion of the report followed the presentation by the Interim Commission.

Agreed : The Committee unanimously agreed that the complaint could not be substantiated on the basis of the evidence presented and, therefore, that Mr Paisley Junior had not breached the Code of Conduct.

Mr Brolly joined the meeting at 1 :46pm.

6. Consideration of Draft Report on the Complaint Against Mr Ian Paisley Jnr.

Members considered the draft report on the complaint against Mr Ian Paisley Jnr.

Front Cover – Read and Agreed.

Committee Powers and Membership – Read and Agreed.

Paragraphs 1-9 – Read and Agreed.

The Clerk advised Members that the minutes of proceedings of the meeting would need to be agreed for inclusion in the report.

Agreed: Members agreed that the Clerk would circulate the minutes of proceedings for agreement.

Agreed: Members ordered the report to be printed.

7. Press Release.

Members considered the draft press release relating to the report.

Agreed: Members agreed the draft press release subject to one amendment.

8. Any Other Business

The Chairperson informed Members that another complaint had been received and that it had been forwarded, in accordance with agreed procedure, to the Interim Commissioner for Standards.

The Chairperson reminded Members of the meeting with the Procedures and Privileges Committee on the 17 th June in Parliament Buildings. A number of Members indicated they would be attending.

The Chairperson informed Members that the evidence session scheduled for the 18 th June had been cancelled but that it was likely the Committee would have to meet prior to recess to consider a report on another complaint.

The Committee considered a letter from the Welsh Assembly Committee on Standards of Conduct inviting it to comment on an Assembly measure to establish a statutory role of Commissioner of Standards.

Agreed : The Committee agreed that it would not be appropriate for it to respond in detail given that it was likely to consider the arrangements for the appointment of its own Standards Commissioner in the autumn. The Committee instructed the Clerk to respond accordingly.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.51pm.

9. Date, time and location of next meeting

Date, time and location of next meeting to be confirmed.

MRS CARMEL HANNA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges.
12th June 2008.