Report on the Review of the Northern Ireland Assembly Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members - Together with the Minutes of Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence and Written Evidence Relating to the Report Sixth Report Session 2008/2009 (Paperback)

The Committee on Standards and Privileges has carried out a review of the "Northern Ireland Assembly's Code of Conduct (the Code)" together with the "Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members (the Guide)". The review of the Code and Guide was initiated long before recent controversies in relation to MPs' expenses. The Committee considers that it is important that the improvements which it is recommending be implemented as soon as possible and should not be delayed. Nevertheless the Committee recognises the need for best practice in the area of standards to be continually reviewed and is committed to reviewing the Code and Guide on an ongoing basis to ensure that this is the case. The key recommendations arising out of the Committee's review are that: the Northern Ireland Assembly (the Assembly) should agree a new Code of Conduct together with the "Guide to the Rules Relating to the Conduct of Members"; and therefore that, inter alia - members are required to register how much remuneration they earn outside the Assembly, and how; much time they spend in relation to earning such remuneration; Members are required to register family members who benefit directly or indirectly in any way from any Assembly Members' allowances; and, that, the Assembly should have the capacity to impose a number of sanctions on a Member who is found to have breached the Code or Guide, including suspension without pay. The Committee believes that the new Code and Guide will improve openness and accountability, improve the public confidence and trust in the integrity of Members and ensure that Members are held to the high ethical standards expected of them by the whole community in Northern Ireland.