Minutes of Proceedings
Session: 2011/2012
Date: 14 December 2011
Venue: Room 144, Parliament Buildings
The meeting commenced at 1.15pm in open session.
Chairperson’s Introduction
The Chairperson welcomed Committee Members to the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session for the first part of agenda Item 5.
1. Apologies
As detailed 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 23rd November 2011
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November 2011 were agreed by the Committee.
4. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Consideration of Directions for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards
1.17pm The Committee moved into closed session
1.17pm Mr McCarthy and Mrs Overend joined the meeting
The Chairperson updated members on the current position with regard to the appointment of an Assembly Commissioner for Standards.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Dr Frawley, interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards to thank him for agreeing to remain in this post until an appointment is made.
The Chairperson welcomed Ms Tara Caul, Head of Legal Services Office, Assembly Legal Services and invited her to brief the Committee on the Legal Advice.
1.25pm Ms Bradley joined the meeting
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Ms Caul for attending the meeting.
1.28pm the meeting returned to open session
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Ray McCaffrey, Research Officer and invited him to brief the Committee on the Research Paper.
1.30pm Mr McCarthy left the meeting
Following discussion the Chairperson thanked Mr McCaffrey for attending the meeting.
6. Update from the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards
Members noted correspondence received from the interim Assembly Commissioner for Standards on the likely timescale for submitting his report on his investigation into the leaking of a draft Public Accounts Committee report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the information to the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group.
7. Electronic Committee Pack Pilot Scheme
Members noted the Clerk’s Paper on this issue.
Agreed: Following a briefing by the Clerk on the background to this issue the Committee agreed to participate in the Pilot Scheme.
8. Any other business
Members noted that an updated version of the Register of Members’ Interests would be published on the Assembly website on Friday 16th December 2011 which would include all amendments received prior to the Christmas recess.
9. Time, date and place of next meeting
Members will be informed in due course of the date of the next meeting.
The Chairperson wished members and staff a Merry Christmas.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.53pm.
Mr Alastair Ross MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
Wednesday 28th March 2012
