Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mrs S Ennis
Ms C Hunter
Miss N McAllister
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 Adviser
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 Tom Elliott.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 23 April 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sitting on Tuesday 7 May

4.1 The Committee noted that due to the May Day bank holiday, only one sitting would take place the following week.

Tuesday 7 May

4.2 The Committee noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

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

4.4 Members noted that an untimed debate for the Final Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill remained scheduled.

4.5 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Executive Office on the East West Council was anticipated for this date.

4.6 Members noted that plenary time for a Committee motion from the Committee for Standards and Privileges remained scheduled, and that the motion, the detail of which was provided on the draft Order Paper, seeks to impose a sanction on Dr Aiken following an investigation by the Commissioner for Standards.

4.7 Following discussion, the Committee agreed to allocate 90 minutes for the debate including 10 minutes for move and wind and 10 minutes to be allocated to the complainant and respondent, with the respondent being able to choose whether to speak after the complainant or before the wind.

4.8 Members noted that two private members’ motions for Sinn Féin and the DUP and an adjournment debate for the SDLP, had been scheduled.

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 7 May 2024.

5 Provisional Order Paper and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during week commencing 13 May

Monday 13 May 

5.1 Members noted that Monday 13 May had been scheduled as the next Opposition day and that no Executive Business had been scheduled for that day.

5.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements.

5.4 Members noted that business on 13 May would be a matter for the Opposition, but for the Committee to allocate timings for debates and for individual contributions.

5.5 The Speaker advised that any Ministerial Statements, Matters of the Day and Urgent Oral Questions would be taken at the usual time but any other Executive Business would be scheduled after Opposition Business.

5.6 The opposition representative advised that they wished to schedule three debates related to government delivery; Lough Neagh, and hospitality and costs; and would call on the Executive Office; the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Finance/Economy Ministers respectively. He sought the Committee’s approval to provide the details at a later date.

5.7 A Member expressed that, as with Private Members’ motions, the detail of opposition motions should be available two weeks in advance to allow Members, their staff and Assembly officials to prepare and for amendments to be considered.

5.8 Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the details of opposition motions should be provided by close of business on Wednesday 1 May.

Tuesday 14 May

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

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

• The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (NI) 2024

• The Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (NI) 2024

• The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (NI) 2024

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates to consider the three statutory rules.

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

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions for DUP and Sinn Féin with the usual timings.

5.14 The following Private Members’ motions were selected:

• Extreme Pressures in Primary Care (DUP)
• Reduce insurance costs for workers, families and businesses (SF)

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule an adjournment debate for Sinn Féin.

5.16 Sinn Féin selected the following topic:

• Special Educational Needs Provision in South Down

5.17 The junior Minister advised that a statement was expected from the Minister of Justice relating to inter-governmental agreement on criminal justice.

5.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 14 May 2024.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 A Member raised concerns about ministers issuing written statements on sitting days rather than bringing them to the Assembly.

6.2 The Speaker advised that he shared those concerns, noting some recent examples, and said he had accepted an Urgent Oral Question the day before because the Minister had failed to make an oral statement on the matter. The Speaker asked the junior Minister to take the Committee’s concerns back to the Executive.

6.3 A Member expressed disappointment that the UUP motion the day before had received no ministerial response from the Executive Office despite ministers being available, and that a short response explaining why a more substantive response was not possible would be preferable.

6.4 The Speaker advised that he had had been prepared to respond to a point of order on the matter in the Chamber but more generally, always encouraged Ministers to come before the Assembly and give it its place. Again, he asked the junior Minister to relay the Committee’s concerns to the Executive.

6.5 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 7 May.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.22pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson