Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Elliott
Mrs S Ennis
Ms C Hunter
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Ms K Nicholl
Ms C Sugden

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
Ms A McKelvey 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 No apologies were received.

1.2 Kate Nicholl attended in place of Miss McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 30 April 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during week commencing 13 May

Monday 13 May

4.1 Members noted that Monday 13 May was scheduled as an opposition day and that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

4.2 The Speaker advised that the Minister of Health would not be available for Assembly Business on Monday 13 May.

4.3 Members noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

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

4.5 Members agreed to schedule the three opposition motions with the requested timings.

4.6 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers were available to respond to the motions.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 13 May 2024.

Tuesday 14 May

4.8 Members noted that Members’ Statements remained scheduled.

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

4.10 Members noted that untimed debates to consider three statutory rules remained scheduled.

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

4.12 Members noted that private members’ motions for DUP and Sinn Féin, and an adjournment debate for Sinn Féin, remained scheduled.

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

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for the Plenary Sittings during week commencing 20 May

Monday 20 May

5.1 Members noted that, following the switch agreed by the Committee at the last meeting, Question Time would be for the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Communities.

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

• First Stage of the Defective Premises Bill from the Minister for Communities
• First Stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill from the Minister for Communities
• A Legislative Consent Motion for the Pet Abduction Bill from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.3 The Committee noted that the bill introductions would be scheduled when confirmation is received that the Bill is within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the LCM.

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions for Alliance and DUP with the usual timings.

5.7 The Speaker advised that the Ministers of Health and Education would not be available for Assembly Business on Monday 20 May.

5.8 The Committee agreed that Sinn Féin could switch with Alliance to facilitate a ministerial response to Alliance’s chosen motion.

5.9 The following Private Members’ motions were selected:

• Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Defence Industries (DUP)
• No-Fault Divorce (SF)

5.10 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 20 May 2024. 

Tuesday 21 May

5.11 Members noted that following the switch agreed by the Committee at the last meeting, Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health.

5.12 Members noted that one item of Executive Business had been requested for this date: a Legislative Consent Motion on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill from the Minister of Health.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the LCM.

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

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions with the usual timings and that, following the previously agreed switch, these would be for the UUP and Alliance.

5.16 The Speaker advised that the Minister of Education would not be available for Assembly Business on Tuesday 21 May.

5.17 The following Private Members’ motions were selected:

• Veterinary Medicines (UUP)
• Junior Doctors’ Pay (ALL)

5.18 The Committee agreed to allow Alliance to confirm the wording of their chosen motion shortly after the meeting.

5.19 The Committee agreed to schedule an adjournment debate for the DUP.

5.20 DUP selected the following topic:

• Proposed Closure of Belfast Metropolitan College Castlereagh Campus

5.21 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 21 May 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 14 May.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson