Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

Mrs S Ennis (Acting Chairperson)
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGuigan
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Ms C Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
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
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, Tom Elliott, Cara Hunter, and Paula Bradshaw.

1.2 Mrs Ennis informed the Committee that as the Speaker was unavailable, she would be Chairing the meeting in his place.
 

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 14 May 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Paper and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sitting on 28 May

Tuesday 28 May

4.1 Members noted that Members’ Statements and a public petition for Declan McAleer remained scheduled.

4.2 Members agreed to schedule a committee change motion for the SDLP and for it to be treated as a business motion with no opportunity for amendment or debate.

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

4.4 Members noted that untimed debates for two SRs and a four and a half hour Budget debate remained scheduled.

4.5 The junior Minister advised that no further business was expected.

4.6 Members noted that an adjournment debate for the Alliance party was scheduled.

4.7 Members noted that due to the public holiday on Monday 27 May, the deadline for amendments for business on 28 May would be 9.30am on Thursday 23 May 2024.

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

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 3 June

Monday 3 June

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a one-hour debate to consider the Assembly Commission Budget 2024-25.

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

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

• The draft Human Medicines (Amendments relating to Registered Dental Hygienists, Registered Dental Therapists and Registered Pharmacy Technicians) Regulations 2024
• The draft Human Medicines (Amendments relating to Original Pack Dispensing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
• Accelerated passage – Defective Premises Bill
• Second Stage – Defective Premises Bill
• Second Stage – Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for all items of business.

5.5 The Committee noted that if the Assembly did not consent to accelerated passage for the Defective Premises Bill, its second stage could still proceed on that date as the necessary interval between stages will have elapsed.

5.6 The junior Minister advised that no further business was expected.

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements at the beginning of the sitting.

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

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 3 June.

Tuesday 4 June

5.10 Members noted that 4 June had been scheduled as an Opposition day and were content that opposition business would be given priority.

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Assembly Commission motion on the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme 2024, which would be scheduled after Opposition Business.

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

5.13 Members noted that any additional business such as Urgent Oral Questions and Ministerial statements would be taken in their usual position in proceedings.

5.14 The junior Minister advised that an oral statement from the Minister of Education was expected for 4 June.

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.16 The opposition representative requested 1.5 hours for the following two motions:
• Independent Inquiry into the Alleged Use of Wiretapping of Northern Ireland Journalists
• Hate Crime Legislation in Northern Ireland

5.17 The opposition representative requested 1 hour for a motion on Conversion Practices.

5.18 The Committee agreed to schedule the motions with the requested timings and usual speaking times.

5.19 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Supporting Educational Achievement in West Belfast

5.20 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 4 June. 

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business. 

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Acting Chairperson advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 28 May.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.17pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson