Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGuigan
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Mrs 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 R Ellis Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser 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 David Brooks.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 21 May 2024 were agreed.
 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 3 June

Monday 3 June

4.1 Members noted that a motion on the Assembly Commission Budget 2024-25 remained scheduled.

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

4.3 Members noted that untimed debates for a Human Medicines statutory rule, a motion seeking accelerated passage for the Defective Premises Bill, and Second Stages of the Defective Premises and Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bills remained scheduled.

4.4 Members noted that the Executive has requested the addition of a motion in the name of the Minister for Communities to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) to allow the sitting to extend beyond 7pm if necessary, and agreed it should be treated as a business motion with no opportunity for amendment or debate.

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

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 3 June.

Tuesday 4 June

4.7 Members noted that Members’ Statements had previously been scheduled.

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

4.9 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister of Education was expected on this date.

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

4.11 Members noted that three opposition motions remained scheduled.

4.12 Members noted that an untimed debate for a Commission motion on Financial Assistance for Political Parties remained scheduled after opposition business.

4.13 Members noted that an adjournment debate for Sinn Féin remained scheduled.

4.14 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 4 June.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 10 June

Monday 10 June

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

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

o Four statutory rules relating to occupational pension schemes.
o A statutory rule related to the benefit cap
o Two statutory rules relating to child support
o Consideration Stage of the Defective Premises Bill

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

5.4 The Committee noted that if the Assembly did not consent to accelerated passage for the Defective Premises Bill, Consideration Stage could not proceed as the Bill would be subject to Committee Stage.

5.5 The Committee noted that, should Consideration Stage of the Defective Premises Bill proceed, the deadline for amendments would be 9.30am on Wednesday 5 June.

5.6 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister of Finance may be expected on this date.

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 10 June.

Tuesday 11 June

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

5.11 Members noted that one item of Executive Business had been requested for this date, a motion on the Executive Legislative Programme 2024.

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule two hours for the debate with 10 minutes to move and wind and 5 minutes for all other speakers.

5.13 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs may be expected on this date.

5.14 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion on the Energy Market for Alliance.

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for DUP:
• Hospitality and Tourism in East Antrim

5.17 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers were available.

5.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 11 June.
 

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker welcomed Mr McGlone as a member of the Committee.

6.2 A Member noted that the Speaker had previously commented during plenary on the inadequacy of written responses from Ministers to Assembly questions, and asked the Speaker to look at the matter again.

6.3 The Speaker advised that he had recently received a commitment from all Ministers to respond on behalf of arms-length bodies within their remit but he would continue to monitor the situation if Whips kept him informed.

6.4 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 4 June.

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

 The Speaker
Chairperson