Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2009/2010

Date: 10 March 2010

Present: Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland
Mr Billy Leonard
Mr Paul Maskey
Mr George Savage

In Attendance: Mr Paul Gill (Assembly Clerk)
Ms Hilary Bogle (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Michael Greer (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher McNickle (Clerical Officer)

Apologies: Mr Thomas Buchanan
Rev Dr Robert Coulter
Mr Brian Wilson

The meeting commenced at 1.16pm in open session.

Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.

Agreed: Members agreed that the meeting would be held in open session for agenda items 1 – 6 and would go into closed session from agenda item 7.

1. Apologies

Apologies as listed above.

2. Declaration of Interests

The Chairperson reminded Members of their obligation to declare any relevant financial or other interests before and during each Committee meeting. The Chairperson declared an interest in item 8 and informed the Committee that he would leave the meeting at that point and that the Deputy Chairperson would take the chair.

3. Draft minutes of the meetings held on 24th February 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 24th February 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Application for an All Party USA Group

Agreed: The Committee approved the formation of an All Party USA Group.

6. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence received from the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland re Hansard of Evidence on the Committee’s Inquiry at the meeting of 17th February 2010.

The Committee noted correspondence received from the Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly of Wales re follow up to evidence session held on 10 th February on the Committee’s Inquiry.

The Committee noted correspondence received from the Speaker on the production of a documentary-style series on the work of the Assembly.

Agreed: The Committee noted an invitation received from the Northern Ireland Ombudsman inviting the Chairperson to attend the launch of a commemorative booklet to mark the 40 th Anniversary of the Office of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should decline the invitation as the launch coincides with the next meeting of the Committee.

1.28pm The Committee moved into closed session.

7. Inquiry on enforcing the Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members and the appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards

The Committee noted the Clerk’s Paper.

1.50pm Mr Maskey joined the meeting.

Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed a number of issues, as set out in the clerk’s memo to Members dated 16th March 2010.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that further consideration should be given to the issues raised in paragraphs 19 - 23 and paragraphs 24 – 28 of the Clerk’s Paper. The Committee agreed that further advice would be helpful and that a briefing note on these issues should be sent to Members and copied to Party Whips.

8. Interim Assembly Commissioner’s Report on a Complaint against a Member

The Chairperson having declared an interest in this item withdrew from the meeting and the Deputy Chairperson took the chair.

Mr Leonard declared an interest in that he had just become a member of the All Party Group that had made the complaint. Mr Leonard confirmed that he had not been a member of the group at the time the complaint was made and therefore had no prior knowledge of the complaint.

Members noted the report from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member together with the original letter of complaint.

The Chairperson welcomed Dr Tom Frawley, Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards and Mr John MacQuarrie, Director for Standards and Special Projects, Ombudsman’s Office and invited Dr Frawley to brief the Committee on his report.

The Committee noted further correspondence that had been received by the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards in respect of the evidence he had acquired during his investigation.

Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Dr Frawley and Mr MacQuarrie for attending the meeting.

3.28pm The Committee adjourned.

3.39pm The Committee reconvened.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Member in question had not breached the Code of Conduct. However Members raised concerns in respect of some matters in the Interim Commissioner’s report.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to seek legal advice on an issue raised before agreeing its report on the complaint.

9. Any other business

Agreed: The Committee noted a media enquiry in relation to previous Committee correspondence. The Committee agreed that a follow up letter should be sent to the Office of the First and deputy First Minister.