Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.00pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Ms S Ennis
Mr P McGuigan
Mr P McGlone

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Ms C Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
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 Robbie Butler, Nuala McAllister, Colin McGrath and Claire Sugden.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 18 June 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 1 July

Monday 1 July

4.1 Members noted that all business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

4.2 The junior Minister advised that three statements were expected.

4.3 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 1 July.

Tuesday 2 July

4.4 Members noted that all business remained as scheduled last week, and a statement from the Minister for Infrastructure has been confirmed.

4.5 The junior Minister advised that five statements were expected for this date.

4.6 A representative from Sinn Féin indicated that as five statements were now anticipated, they would withdraw the motion they had requested last week on Proper Funding for Effective Public Services.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 2 July.

5 Opposition Days

5.1 Members noted that Standing Order 12(4A) provides for ten days per Assembly session to be allocated to opposition business, and that it is the Business Committee’s decision to decide how that time should be allotted.

5.2 Members noted that they had been provided with an advice paper reviewing opposition days to date and outlining how plenary time might be allotted to the opposition in the 2024-25 session.

5.3 The Committee agreed the recommendations within the advice paper.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker wished Members well for the summer months and advised that, unless he needed to contact the Committee over recess, the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 3 September in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.04pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson