Minutes of Proceedings

Present: 
Mr Pat Ramsey (Chairperson)
Mr Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Paul Maskey 
Mr Alastair Ross
Mr George Savage
Mr Brian Wilson

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

Apologies:
Mr Mickey Brady
Rev Dr Robert Coulter

The meeting commenced at 1.19pm in closed session.

Chairperson’s Introduction

The Chairperson welcomed Members to the meeting.

Agreed: Members agreed that the meeting would be held in closed session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to Mr Declan O’Loan MLA thanking him for his stewardship of the Committee during the period that he was Chairperson.

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.

3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 th May 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 th May 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Committee Report on the Review of All-Party Groups

Following an update by the Clerk the Committee considered the draft Report. The Committee noted the Clerk’s clarification in relation to how the Speaker will continue to be entitled to be provided with the support of Assembly staff in relation to his participation on any All-Party Group in his capacity as Speaker.

Annex 1 - Rules on All-Party Groups and associated forms

Agreed: The Committee approved the Rules on All-Party Groups and associated forms and agreed that they should be included at Annex 1 which should form part of the Report.

Introduction and Terms of Reference

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 1 to 3 should form part of the Report.

Background

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 4 to 5 should form part of the Report.

Conduct of the Review

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 6, as amended, should form part of the Report.

The purpose and role of All-Party Groups

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 7 to 10 should form part of the Report.

All-Party Groups and All-Party Assembly Groups

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 11 to 15 should form part of the Report.

The arrangements for the establishment of All Party-Groups

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 16 to 18 should form part of the Report.

The requirements for registering and updating the details of an All-Party Group

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraphs 19 to 23 should form part of the Report.

How All-Party Groups can be administered and supported

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 24 should form part of the Report.

Compliance with the Rules on All-Party Groups

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 25 should form part of the Report.

Committee Powers and Membership and Table of Contents

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee Powers and Membership and the Table of Contents should form part of the Report.

Appendix 1 – Minutes of Proceedings

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 1 should form part of the Report.

Appendix 2 – Assembly Research Paper

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Appendix 2 should form part of the Report.

Other issues

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the tabled extract of today’s minutes of proceedings should be included in Appendix 1 of the report as well as a further extract from a previous meeting.

The Committee ordered the Report on the Review of All-Party Groups to be printed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that a copy of the Report should be sent to the current All-Party Groups and All-Party Assembly Groups.

6. Application for an All-Party Group on Sexual Health

The Committee approved the application for an All-Party Group on Sexual Health.

7. Update on the Assembly Commission’s Report on the Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Chairperson declared an interest as a member of the Assembly Commission.

The Chairperson advised Members that the Assembly Commission had agreed its draft report on the Financial Support and Pensions for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Members noted the Summary of Recommendations made in the Report and that some of these were in response to matters which had previously been raised by the Committee. Members also noted that further advice on the recommendations could be provided to individual Members or parties by the Commission if required.

8. Any other business

Members noted correspondence from the Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on outstanding enquiries. Members also noted the Committee’s position on such matters as set out in the Code of Conduct.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Commissioner should write to the Member in question drawing attention to the position in the Code of Conduct and setting a final deadline for response.

9. Time, date and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 29 th June 2010 at 12.00 pm in room 135, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.54pm.

Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
29 th June 2010.