The public has been encouraged to have its say on a new anti-sleaze rulebook
for Northern Ireland Assembly members.
The draft new code of conduct for MLAs has been published by the Committee
on Standards and Privileges at Stormont.
Its proposals include requiring members to declare if they are employing
family members — or the relatives of colleagues — on their publicly-funded
payrolls.
The new code also warns that politicians who flout rules on registering
outside interests will risk prosecution.
Standards committee chairperson Carmel Hanna of the SDLP said: "This
document is as much a matter of interest for the public as it is for members
of the Assembly. It provides the framework under which members may be held
accountable for their conduct by their peers and the electorate.
"The committee agreed that a wide consultation on this document was
essential if we are to have a robust code that reflects the expectations of
wider society in relation to the probity of elected representatives."
Responses to the proposed document can be submitted up to noon on August 4.
The committee began its work on reviewing Assembly code of conduct rules
last September
Sinn Fein vice-chair Willie Clarke said: "I'm pleased this review has
taken place. It's about public accountability and getting confidence in
elected representatives.
"I think it helps the public and elected representatives when you have
clear guidelines."
DUP committee member Alastair Ross said: "As a committee we have
endeavoured to strike the right balance between open and transparent
accountability and an individual's right to privacy.
"The revised code will now go out to public consultation and allow
members of the public to give their views on it. It clearly explains the
role of the committee, the remit of the committee and how a member of the
public can make a complaint against a member of the Assembly."
He added: "It is important that as many people as possible now respond
to the revised code and the committee can receive feedback from various
members of the public."
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