Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:             

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Mrs S Ennis
Ms C Hunter
Miss N McAllister
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Mr K Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms M Corrigan Legal Adviser
Ms L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Mr P Stitt PS to the Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1.1 The Speaker welcomed new members Claire Sugden and Cara Hunter.

2 Apologies

2.1 There were no apologies.

3 Minutes of previous meetings

3.1 The minutes of the meeting on 13 February 2024, including the clarification relating to the Finance motions on 19 February, were agreed.

3.2 A Member queried the scheduling of Members’ Statements. The Speaker advised that there was a need to be responsive to demand from Members.

3.3 The Committee agreed to review each week and decide whether to schedule Members’ Statements and on which day.

4 Matters Arising

4.1 The Speaker advised that parties had now agreed how the remaining statutory committee vacancy would be filled.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion appointing Pádraig Delargy to the Committee for the Executive Office.

4.3 The filling of three vacancies on two standing committees was discussed.

4.4 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion to appoint Members to the Committee on Standards and Privileges and the Audit Committee, subject to confirmation of which Members were to be appointed.

4.5 There were no other matters arising.

5 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during Week Commencing 26 February

Monday 26 February

5.1 The Committee noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

5.2 The Committee noted that the two committee membership motions discussed under Matters Arising would be scheduled as Business motions.

5.3 The Committee noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

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

5.5 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Education.

5.6 The Committee agreed that the two Private Members’ motions on the provisional Order Paper would remain scheduled.

5.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 26 February 2024.

Tuesday 27 February

5.8 The Committee noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

5.9 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Finance.

5.10 The Committee agreed that the two Private Members’ motions on the provisional Order Paper would remain scheduled.

5.11 The Speaker reminded Members that the SDLP had deferred selecting their motion last week, and invited them to select their motion.

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for the SDLP:
• All-Island Rail Network

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an adjournment debate, on the basis that it appeared there would be no need for the DUP adjournment that afternoon to be deferred.

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

• Economic Recovery from Flooding in South Down

5.15 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 27 February 2024.

6 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings on Week Commencing 4 March

6.1 Before proceeding to consideration of the Provisional Order Paper the Speaker reminded Members that at the last meeting they had agreed that Monday 4 March would be the first scheduled Opposition Day.

6.2 The Speaker advised that business scheduled on an opposition day is a matter for the Opposition, but it is for the Business Committee to allocate timings to debates and individual contributions.

6.3 The Committee noted that there had been no requests for Assembly or Executive business to date, but Question Time was still scheduled and was for the Executive Office and Minister of Health.

6.4 The Speaker advised that Ministerial Statements, matters of the day and urgent oral questions, if requested, would be taken at the usual times but any Executive Business other than these would be taken after Opposition business.

Monday 4 March

6.5 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

6.6 A representative for the opposition advised that they wished to schedule three motions; two of which would be 90 minutes in duration and the other one hour in duration.

6.7 The opposition representative advised that they were not yet in a position to provide detail of the motions but that they related to Economy, Communities and the Executive Office.

6.8 The opposition representative agreed to provide the detail of the motions by the end of that day for inclusion on the Provisional Order Paper.

6.9 The Committee agreed to schedule two 90 minute debates for the opposition motions with standard speaking times.

6.10 The Committee agreed to schedule a one-hour debate for the opposition, with 5 minutes for move and wind, ten minutes for ministerial response if applicable, and 3 minutes for all other speakers.

6.11 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 4 March 2024, subject to the provision of motions by the opposition.

Tuesday 5 March

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

6.13 Members noted that four items of Executive Business had been requested, as follows:

• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Local Authority Meetings) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023.
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Local Authority Meetings) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Local Authority Meetings) (No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023
• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Local Authority Meetings) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

6.14 The Committee agreed to schedule a single untimed debate to consider all four statutory rules.

6.15 The Committee agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions and that selections would be for Sinn Féin and DUP.

6.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions:

• Making School Uniforms More Affordable (SF)
• Expanding Support for Apprenticeships (DUP)

6.17 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Delivery of the A5

6.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 5 March 2024.

7 Recess Dates

7.1 Members noted receipt of an advice paper on recess dates.

7.2 The Committee agreed recess dates up to the commencement of summer recess in July 2025.

8 Any Other Business

8.1 The representative of the smaller parties and independent Members thanked members for inviting her to join the Committee, and asked if the Committee would consider establishing a mechanism which would enable the smaller parties and independent members to be allocated time to schedule business on the Order Paper. She noted that during a previous mandate consideration had been given to those members forming a bloc, and asked if that could be revisited.

8.2 The Speaker replied that he was keen that all Members were given opportunities and invited views from the Committee.

8.3 Following discussion, the Committee agreed that an options paper would be prepared for members’ consideration at a future meeting.

8.4 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 27 February in room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.20pm.