Minutes of Proceedings

Session: 2009/2010

Date: 17 May 2010

Present: 
Mr Declan O’Loan (Chairperson)
Mr Mickey Brady
Mr Thomas Buchanan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Rev Dr Robert Coulter
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 Willie Clarke (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Allan Bresland

The meeting commenced at 10.34am 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.

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 17 th May 2010

Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 17 th May 2010 were agreed by the Committee.

4. Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

5. 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

Agreed: Following discussion the Committee agreed that the outstanding issue in relation to the future composition of the committee as set out in paragraphs 29 to 34, of the draft Report, as amended, should form part of the Report.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that paragraph 55 of the draft Report, as amended, should form part of the Report.

Agreed: The Committee was content that the remaining sections of the Report as agreed at the last meeting should form part of the Report.

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

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

Agreed: The Committee agreed Appendices 1 – 4 should form part of the Report.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the relevant extract of the minutes of the previous meeting and an extract of today’s minutes of proceedings should be included in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Committee ordered the Report on the Committee’s 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 to be printed.

Members noted that the Report would be embargoed until the commencement of the debate in plenary.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a motion to debate the Report in plenary.

Agreed: Members agreed the draft Press Release, as amended, to be released following the debate of the Committee’s Report in plenary.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that an embargoed copy of the report be sent to each of the witnesses who gave oral evidence: The Interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards; Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland; Mr Jeff Cuthbert, Chairperson, Committee on Standards of Conduct, National Assembly for Wales; Sir Christopher Kelly, Chairperson, Committee on Standards in Public Life; and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

10.58pm Mr Buchanan joined the meeting.

6. Any other business

There was no other business.

7. Time, date and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, 2 nd June 2010 at 1.15pm in room 144, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.00am.

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

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