Assembly Members: Code of Conduct

Part of the debate – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:45 am on 1 March 1999.

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Photo of Lord John Alderdice Lord John Alderdice Initial Presiding Officer 11:45, 1 March 1999

You have raised a number of matters. One matter which I must raise is the question of challenging rulings. Secondly, as far as observing the proceedings from outside is concerned, that is justifiable. It is the convention in other places that Members who wish to participate in debates listen to the speeches coming before and after; in some places it is the convention that Members sit through the whole debate if they wish to intervene. While the latter is a very restrictive convention the former convention is not an entirely unreasonable one.

I will study Hansard, as I always do. If there are matters which need to be brought to the attention of the Assembly I will bring them, with due conscientiousness. However, I have to point out that there are times when Members themselves put matters on the record. They put matters into Hansard by raising them, responding to them, or objecting to them. On a number of occasions remarks would not have been on the record if they had not been responded to.

I will look at this particular matter, and I will study it. I have looked at it already in terms of the relevance of various speeches to what is being said, and I am persuaded that within certain bounds the speeches have been relevant. I will address the matter which the Member raises. However, I must say that at this point I am not convinced by the point of order that he raises, and has raised reasonably extensively.