Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGuigan
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms K McDonald Legal Adviser
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr P Stitt PS 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 Paula Bradshaw.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 11 June 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 24 June

Monday 24 June

4.1 Members noted that all Executive and Private Members’ business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

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

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion for the Committee for Communities to extend the Committee stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill.

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 24 June.

Tuesday 25 June

4.5 Members noted that all business remained as scheduled last week.

4.6 The junior Minister advised that three ministerial statements were expected for this date.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 25 June.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 1 July

Monday 1 July

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Finance and Minister of Health, but the Speaker had received a letter from the Finance Minister seeking to switch her scheduled slot with that of the Minister for Infrastructure on 2 July.

5.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate the requested switch.

5.3 Members noted that three items of Executive Business had been requested for this date, as follows:

• Two motions on the Supply Resolution for 2024-25 Main Estimates and Statement of Excesses; and
• First Stage of the Budget (No 2) Bill.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule a single 4½ hour debate to consider both Supply Resolution motions, with the Minister being given one hour to split at her discretion between the move and the wind, 10 minutes for the Opposition spokesperson and the representative of the Committee for Finance and 7 minutes for all other contributions.

5.5 Members noted that First Stage of the Budget (No.2) Bill by convention would be untimed but was expected to last only a few minutes.

5.6 The junior Minister advised that three ministerial statements were expected for this date.

5.7 The Committee agreed that Members’ Statements would not be scheduled.

5.8 The Committee agreed that insufficient time was available for Private Members’ Business.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 1 July.

Tuesday 2 July

5.10 Members agreed that as this is the last scheduled sitting before the Assembly goes into recess for the summer, the Business Committee will not be meeting so there is no requirement for a lunchtime suspension.

5.11 Members noted that following the switch agreed earlier, Question Time would be for the Minister of Finance.

5.12 Members noted that three items of Executive Business had been scheduled, as follows:

• A motion to approve the draft Insolvency (Monetary Limits) (Amendment) Order from the Minister for the Economy;
• Final Stage of the Defective Premises Bill; and
• Second Stage of the Budget (No.2) Bill

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for each of these items.

5.14 The junior Minister advised that four ministerial statements were expected for this date.

5.15 The Committee agreed that Members’ Statements would not be scheduled.

5.16 As the Ministerial statements had not yet been confirmed, the Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion for Sinn Féin:

• Proper Funding for Effective Public Services

5.17 The Sinn Féin representative agreed that if additional business is confirmed, the party would reconsider scheduling its motion.

5.18 The Committee agreed not to schedule an adjournment debate.

5.19 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 2 July.

6 Draft Question Time Rota

6.1 The Committee agreed the draft Question Time rota for the period from September until December 2024.

6.2 Members noted that names for the ballot for the first Question Times in September should be submitted to the Business Office by 1pm on Tuesday 2 July.

7 Opposition Days

7.1 Members noted receipt of an advice paper reviewing opposition days to date and outlining how plenary time might be allotted to the opposition in the 2024-25 session.

7.2 The Committee agreed to consider the paper, consult with their party colleagues, and discuss further at the next meeting.

8 Any Other Business

8.1 There was no other business.

9 Date and Time of Next Meeting

9.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 25 June.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson