Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2012/2013
Date: 13 March 2013
Venue: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 1.30pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session for items 5 to 7.
The Chairperson welcomed Committee members to the meeting.
1. Apologies
As 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.
1.31pm Mr McCarthy joined the meeting.
3. Draft minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2013.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 13th February 2013 were agreed by the Committee.
1.32pm Mr McCann joined the meeting.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
The Committee moved into closed session.
5. Correspondence from the Assembly Commissioner for Standards on a complaint against a Member
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper and correspondence from the Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
The Clerk briefed the Committee on this issue.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that with the Assembly Commissioner for Standards conclusion that the complaint is inadmissible.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the complainant and the Member complained of, on behalf of the Committee, enclosing the Commissioner’s correspondence and setting out the Committee’s position.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should write to the Assembly Commissioner for Standards informing him of the Committee’s decision.
6. Registration and Declaration of Interests – Attorney General for Northern Ireland
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper and Legal Advice.
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the background to this issue.
The Chairperson invited Ms Kiera McDonald, Assembly Legal Services, to brief the Committee on the Legal Advice.
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Ms McDonald for attending the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that, further to the outcome of its consideration of these matters, the Chairperson should write to the Committee on Procedures and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland setting out the Committee’s position.
7. Draft Committee Report on the recommendations by the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on the leaked Public Accounts Committee Report
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper; Correspondence from the Public Accounts Committee; and the draft Committee Report.
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the background to this issue.
1.58pm Mr Fra McCann left the meeting
Agreed: Members discussed and agreed the draft Committee Report (as amended) and ordered that the report be printed today.
2.05pm Mr Jonathan Craig left the meeting
The Committee returned to Open Session
8. Declaration of Interests received from the Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Agreed: Members noted the declared interests of Douglas Bain, Assembly Commissioner for Standards and agreed that they be placed on the Committee’s page on the Assembly website.
9. GRECO UK Evaluation Report
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper; the GRECO Report; and the Ministerial Statement.
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the background to this issue.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the publication of the GRECO report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that copies of the GRECO report should be laid in the Assembly’s library.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the recommendations that have been raised in the GRECO Report shall be considered as part of the Committee’s review of the Code of Conduct.
10. All-Party Groups
The Committee noted an application for an All-Party Group on Organ Donations.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the formation of an All-Party Group on Organ Donations.
The Committee noted an application for an All-Party Group on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the formation of an All-Party Group on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
11. Any other business
Members were asked to confirm if they would be available to attend ‘Effective Questioning’ training on the afternoon of Wednesday, 10th April 2013.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that those members of the Committee who were not in attendance should be contacted to ascertain their availability to attend this training.
12. Time, date and place of next meeting
Committee Office staff will inform Members when the next meeting of the Committee is to be held.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.20pm.
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
22nd May 2013
