Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr A Allen
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mrs M Guy
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Dr A McGarel Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms H Smyth Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr P Stitt PS to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Paula Bradshaw and Claire Sugden.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 25 March 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 7 April

Monday 7 April

4.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Education and Minister of Finance.

4.2 Members noted that other business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

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

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 7 April.

Tuesday 8 April

4.5 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health.

4.6 Members noted that Executive business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

4.7 The junior Minister advised that no additional Executive business was expected at that time.

4.8 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Finance on Reports on the 2025-26 Draft Budget, with 90 minutes for the debate and standard speaking times.

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 8 April.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 28 April 2025

Monday 28 April

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister for Infrastructure.

5.2 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

5.3 The junior Minister advised of the probability of oral statements from the Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance.

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

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

• Equivalence in University Admissions Processes (SF)
• Driving Forward Quality Standards for Diabetes Care (DUP)

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 28 April.

Tuesday 29 April

5.7 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority on this date.

5.8 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Justice.

5.9 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

5.10 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

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

5.12 Members noted that they had previously consented for the Opposition to select motions for this date at the meeting on Tuesday 8 April.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Improving Mobile Phone Coverage in West Belfast

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 29 April.

6 Recess Dates for 2025 - 2026

6.1 The Committee agreed recess dates for 2025 – 2026 and that those dates would circulated via All-Party Notice and published on the Assembly website.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 There was no other business.
 

8 Date and Time of Next Meeting

8.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 8 April.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.06 pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson