Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Mrs S Ennis
Ms C Hunter
Miss N McAllister
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms P Cameron 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 L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
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

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Philip McGuigan, David Brooks and John Stewart.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 12 March 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 8 April

Monday 8 April

4.1 The Committee noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee Membership motion for the DUP 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 would be for the Executive Office and the Minister of Education.

4.4 Members noted that the Notice of Forthcoming Assembly Business from the Executive Office indicated no business.

4.5 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected at that time.

4.6 The Committee noted that Private Members’ motions for Alliance and UUP remained scheduled.

4.7 The Speaker reminded members that amendments cannot be tabled during recess, so the deadline for amendments for 8 April would be 9.30 am on Thursday 21 March.

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 8 April 2024.

Tuesday 9 April

4.9 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Finance.

4.10 Members noted that a single debate for the Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2023-2024 and the Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2024-2025 remained scheduled.

4.11 Members noted that the Notice of Forthcoming Assembly Business from the Executive Office indicated one further item of business; a motion to approve the draft Period Products (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Specified Public Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

4.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the statutory rule.

4.13 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected at that time.

4.14 Members noted that as amendments cannot be tabled during recess, the deadline for amendments to motions on Tuesday 9 April would be 9.30am on Friday 22 March.

4.15 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 9 April 2024.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during Week Commencing 15 April

Monday 15 April

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and the Minister of Health.

5.2 Members noted that the Executive had scheduled a motion to consider the draft Period Products (Department of Education Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the draft statutory rule.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions with the usual timings, for the SDLP and Sinn Féin.

5.6 The Committee agreed that the SDLP could notify the Business Office of its chosen motion by close of play that day.

5.7 The following motion was scheduled for Sinn Féin:

• Baby Loss Certificate Scheme and Pathology Service

5.8 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers were available.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 15 April 2024.

Tuesday 16 April

5.10 Members noted that Tuesday 16 April would be the next Opposition day and that no Executive Business had been scheduled for that day.

5.11 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Infrastructure.

5.12 Members noted that business on 16 April would be a matter for the Opposition, but for the Committee to allocate timings for debates and for individual contributions.

5.13 The Speaker advised that any Ministerial Statements, Matters of the Day and Urgent Oral Questions would be taken at the usual time but any other Executive Business would be scheduled after Opposition Business.

5.14 The opposition representative advised that they wished to schedule two debates of 1.5 hours’ duration, and one debate lasting one hour, but sought the Committee’s approval to provide the details at a later date, noting that the opposition day was a month away and by scheduling early, topicality was lost.

5.15 Following discussion the Committee agreed that the details of opposition motions should be provided by Friday 22 March.

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.17 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Alliance:

• Maze/Long Kesh Redevelopment and Investment

5.18 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers were available.

5.19 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 16 April 2024.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 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 9 April in room 106, and wished Members an enjoyable Easter break.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson