ABSTRACT
A register of interest is established, requiring any Assembly member who has financial interest or other interest in any matter to be registered and for declarations of interest to be made before participating in Assembly proceedings. Under section 72, members are prohibited from advocating any cause on behalf of any person in consideration of payments or benefits in kind, or to urge another Assembly member to advocate or initiate any cause in consideration of any payment or benefit in kind. It is an offence to act in violation of the section 72 procedures, and a person found guilty of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine. Prosecutions may only be instituted by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Similar provisions to those in the Scotland Act relate to the attendance of witnesses, giving of evidence and production of documents.74
