Committee on Standards and Privileges
Minutes of Proceedings - 27 May 2026
Committee on Standards and Privileges - 27 May 2026.pdf (155.21 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 106, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Connie Egan (Deputy Chairperson)
Declan McAleer MLA
Stewart Dickson MLA
In attendance by video or teleconference:
Cathy Mason MLA (Chairperson)
Keith Buchanan MLA
Mark Durkan MLA
Paul Frew MLA
Emma Sheerin MLA
In Attendance:
Shane McAteer, Committee Clerk
Ashleigh Mitford, Senior Assistant Clerk
Elaine Farrell, Assistant Clerk
Laura Gourley, Clerical Supervisor
Alison Ferguson, Clerical Officer
The Deputy Chairperson took the chair due to the Chairperson attending the meeting remotely.
The meeting commenced at 10.02 a.m. in closed session, in accordance with agreed procedure.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of interests
The Chairperson advised Members of the ongoing requirement to declare relevant financial or other interests as and when they arise and before taking part in any Assembly proceedings, including Committee proceedings, relating to that matter.
The Chairperson declared an interest in relation to the investigation case to be considered under agenda item 5 and advised that she would recuse herself from that agenda item.
3. Minutes
Noted: The Committee noted that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2026 had previously been agreed by the Chairperson following delegation of authority by the Committee to do so, in order that the minutes could be included in a Committee report published on 1 May 2026.
4. Matters Arising
None.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.04 a.m.
Cathy Mason recused herself from the next agenda item and left the meeting at 10.04 a.m.
5. Complaints against a Minister – investigation by the Commissioner for Standards
The Committee Clerk briefed the Committee on this agenda item and the draft letter for issue to the Commissioner requesting that he undertakes further investigation of the ministerial complaint case.
The Deputy Chairperson put the question that the Committee issues the draft letter to the Commissioner requesting that he undertakes further investigation of the complaint case referred to.
The Committee divided: Ayes 5 Noes 2; Abstain 0.
AYES
Connie Egan
Stewart Dickson
Mark Durkan
Declan McAleer
Emma Sheerin
NOES
Keith Buchanan
Paul Frew
The proposal was carried.
The Committee considered advice from Assembly Legal Services on further redactions required to the Commissioner’s investigation report in order to ensure that the Committee meets its legal obligations.
Noted: The Committee noted that follow-up communication between the Committee Clerk and the Legal Advisor had clarified that the names of the complainants do not require to be redacted from the investigation report, which would align with the Committee’s usual practice when publishing complaint investigation reports.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it is content to follow the approach to redactions as suggested in the legal advice when it comes to the publication of the investigation report on the complaint case, which will be appended to the Committee’s covering report.
Noted: The Committee noted that the Committee’s covering report on the complaint case will be considered at a future meeting, together with any further investigation report from the Commissioner.
6. Revisions to the General Procedures Direction
The Senior Assistant Clerk briefed the Committee on this agenda item.
Cathy Mason rejoined the meeting at 10.27 a.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft letter for issue to the Commissioner in response to his comments on the proposed amendments to the General Procedures Direction (GPD).
Noted: The Committee noted that the amended GPD will be brought back to the Committee for formal approval and subsequent issue to the Commissioner after the Assembly has approved the Committee’s forthcoming report on proposed amendments to the MLA Code of Conduct and Guide to the Rules on the Conduct of Members.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it is content for the Commissioner to attend a future Committee meeting to discuss how the discretionary power of the Commissioner in paragraph 3.3 of the GPD will operate.
7. Correspondence
The Committee Clerk briefed the Committee on the correspondence received from the Committee on Procedures in respect of the proposed repeal of Standing Order 70 and consequential amendments to Standing Orders.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the joint letter from the Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures and the Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges for issue to all MLAs prior to the plenary motion and debate on this matter.
8. Forward Work Programme
Noted: The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
9. AOB
None.
10. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10 June 2026 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 106.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.39 a.m.
Cathy Mason MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Standards and Privileges
10 June 2026
