Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.10pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Mrs S Ennis
Ms C Hunter
Mr P McGuigan
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Ms C Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 7 May 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during week commencing 20 May

Monday 20 May

4.1 Members noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee Membership motion for Alliance under Assembly Business and that in accordance with convention it would be treated as a business motion with no amendment or debate.

4.3 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Justice and Minister for Communities.

4.4 Members noted that two bill introductions remained scheduled and would be included on Indicative Timings upon receipt of confirmation that the bills are within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

4.5 Members noted that an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Pet Abduction Bill remained scheduled.

4.6 The junior Minister advised that an NSMC statement was anticipated for this date.

4.7 Members noted that Private Members’ motions for DUP and Sinn Féin remained scheduled.

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 20 May 2024.
 

Tuesday 21 May

4.9 Members noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

4.10 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health.

4.11 Members noted that an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill had been scheduled.

4.12 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

4.13 Members noted that private members’ motions for UUP and Alliance, and an adjournment debate for the DUP, remained scheduled.

4.14 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 21 May 2024.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for Tuesday 28 May

5.1 Members noted that as Monday 27 May was a public holiday, only one sitting would take place during this week.

Tuesday 28 May

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Declan McAleer on Dean Maguirc College Enrolment Cap.

5.3 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office.

5.4 Members noted that the following three items of Executive Business had been scheduled:

o The draft Period Products (Department for Infrastructure Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

o The Pensions Dashboards (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023

o A motion on Budget 2024-25

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the Statutory Rules.

5.6 Members noted that an electronic version of the papers relating to the Budget 2024-25 motion would be laid by noon on 21 May, and that the deadline for amendments to this motion would be 9.30am on Thursday 23 May.

5.7 The Committee agreed to allocate 4.5 hours for the Budget 2024-25 debate, of which 60 minutes would be allocated to the Finance Minister for the move and wind split at the Minister’s discretion, 10 minutes to the Chair of the Finance Committee and 7 minutes to all other contributors.

5.8 The Committee agreed that a member of the opposition would also be given 10 minutes to speak.

5.9 Members noted that if the same Member represented both the Committee for Finance and spoke first for the opposition, the total time allocated would be 10 minutes.

5.10 The junior Minister advised that an NSMC statement from the Minister of Education was anticipated for this date.
5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements at the beginning of the sitting.

5.12 The Committee agreed that insufficient time was available for Private Members’ motions.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an adjournment debate for Alliance.

5.14 Alliance selected the following topic:

• New Building for Bangor Central Integrated Primary School

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 28 May 2024.
 

6 Any Other Business

6.1 A Member drew the Committee’s attention to the need for sufficient time to be factored into the scheduling of the Defective Premises Bill stages to allow for amendments to be tabled, even if it was to proceed by accelerated passage.

6.2 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 21 May.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.17pm.

Sinéad Ennis MLA
Acting Chairperson