THE Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday unanimously approved a code of conduct outlining rules for members concerning their public duty, personal behaviour and the mandatory registration of their outside interests.
Moving the draft report, the joint chairman of the committee on standing orders, Mr Denis Haughey (SDLP, Mid Ulster), said he envisaged the imminent setting up of a specific Assembly committee on standards and privileges.
He added that an independent Assembly commissioner might be appointed to fulfil the requirement of oversight and as a co-ordinator of any investigations. A temporary arrangement based on the Westminster code of members' interests has been included in the report until a further decision is taken.
"The purpose of action on members' interests is to assist members in the discharge of their obligations to this Assembly, their constituents and the general public," said Mr Haughey.
Assembly members should observe the general principles of "selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty," he added.
Mr Nigel Dodds (DUP, North Belfast) said the introduction of the measures represented a "sign of the times" and that 15 years ago it would not have been one of the first priorities for any elected body.
Welcoming proposals for the setting up of a new committee on standards and privileges, Mr Dodds said its establishment was no less than members expected. The public and the press expect that "we should be open and transparent in our work".
The leader of the Alliance party, Mr Sean Neeson, said it was important the report was adopted. "Obviously the temptations will be there and the reputations of politicians will be very much at stake. It only takes one person, or a small number, to tarnish the reputation of all politicians."
Questions were raised by Mr John Dallat (SDLP, East Derry) and Mr Francie Molloy, (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster) on whether members would be required to declare their membership of loyal orders and secret organisations. Mr Haughey said the new committee should consider the issue "very carefully".
Mr Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley) queried if those in the Assembly who were still members of the IRA would have to make a similar declaration.
Earlier, Mr Cedric Wilson of the Northern Ireland Unionist Party voiced his "concern" that senior civil servants from Dublin had last week been allocated rooms in Parliament Buildings and "indeed were free to roam around".
He said they "appeared from every doorway as almost an infestation" and added that the Assembly should be given notification when persons from a "foreign state" were visiting.
Mr Sean Farren, (SDLP, North Antrim) said Mr Wilson's remarks were "very objectionable". The Initial Presiding Officer of the Assembly, Lord Alderdice, reminded Mr Wilson the Assembly was not in the possession of the building until the "appointed day" when power would be devolved.
He added that "requests" for the use of office space by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, amounted in reality to more than a request as the property was still in the hands of Her Majesty's Government.