Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mr A Easton
Mr T Elliott
Mrs S Ennis
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart

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 T Caul Director of Legal and Governance Services
Ms L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
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 Claire Sugden, Cara Hunter and Nuala McAllister. The Speaker welcomed Alex Easton who attended in place of Ms Sugden.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 20 February 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 Members noted receipt of a paper on options for smaller parties and independent members to be allotted time to schedule business on the Order Paper.

3.2 The Committee agreed to consider the paper’s contents and return to the issue at a future meeting.

3.3 A Member queried the scope of some topical questions that the First Minister had been asked during Question Time. The Speaker noted that the scope for questions to the First Minister and deputy First Minister was wider given their responsibility for the Executive as a whole. The Speaker was happy to take this matter away for further deliberation outside the Business Committee.

3.4 There were no other matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during Week Commencing 4 March

Monday 4 March

4.1 The Committee noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

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

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

4.4 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and the Minister of Health.

4.5 The Committee noted that three Opposition motions remained scheduled.

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 4 March 2024.

Tuesday 5 March

4.7 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Phillip Brett on Funding of the Children’s Hospice.

4.8 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister for Infrastructure.

4.9 The Committee noted that the four statutory rules that had been scheduled for this date by the Minister for Communities had been removed and would be rescheduled for a future date.

4.10 Members noted that there may be a Ministerial Statement from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs but this was yet to be confirmed.

4.11 The junior Minister indicated that no further Executive business was expected.

4.12 The Committee agreed that, as business was light, Members Statements would be scheduled on this date.

4.13 The Committee agreed that the two Private Members’ motions and the adjournment debate on the provisional Order Paper would remain scheduled.

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

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings on Week Commencing 11 March

Monday 11 March

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.2 Members noted that a motion from the Assembly Commission to appoint trustees to the Assembly Members Pension Scheme was expected and would be confirmed at the next meeting,

5.3 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.4 Members noted that the Minister of Justice had scheduled the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023.

5.5 Members noted that the Minister of Finance had scheduled the Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for each of the statutory rules.

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule an All-Party motion to mark International Women’s Day with standard timings but no ministerial response expected.

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion:

• Fresh Start Funding for Integrated Education Capital Projects (Alliance)

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 11 March 2024.

Tuesday 12 March

5.10 The Committee agreed that as business seemed light, Members’ Statements should be scheduled and could be reviewed next week if there were changes.

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

5.12 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled to date.

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

• Workers' Rights (Sinn Féin)
• Backlog in MOT Testing (DUP)

5.14 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:
• Road Safety Improvements on the A20 Portaferry Road, Newtownards

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 12 March 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 5 March in room 106.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.11pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson