Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.04pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr A Allen
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan

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 L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Ms A McKelvey Legal Adviser
Ms C Byers 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
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden and Nuala McAllister.

1.2 On behalf of the Committee, the Speaker expressed best wishes to Lord Elliott and thanked him for his work on the Business Committee.

1.3 The Speaker also welcomed Andy Allen who was attending in place of Lord Elliott, and expected to join the Committee the following week.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 24 September 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 7 October

Monday 7 October

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule Committee and Commission membership motions for the UUP and for them to be treated as Business motions.

4.2 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and the Minister for Communities.

4.3 Members noted that there was no Executive business.

4.4 The junior Minister advised that there was a possibility of two ministerial statements.

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

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 7 October.

Tuesday 8 October

4.7 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for the Economy.

4.8 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

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

4.10 Members noted that all other business remained as scheduled last week.

4.11 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 8 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 14 October

Monday 14 October

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births (Extension) (No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the draft Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Naloxone and Transfers of Functions) Regulations 2024.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Vehicles Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2024.

5.5 The junior Minister advised that there was a possibility of a ministerial statement.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a prayer of annulment from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion for the DUP with standard timings.

5.9 The DUP selected the following Private Members’ motion:

• Funding for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice

5.10 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 14 October.

Tuesday 15 October

5.11 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority.

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

5.13 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

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

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following opposition motions:

• Tackling Paramilitarism
• Declaration of a Housing Emergency
• Failure to Produce a River Basin Management Plan

5.16 The Committee agreed to the Opposition’s request to schedule 90 minutes for the first two motions and one hour for the third motion.

5.17 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:
• Breast Cancer Waiting Times in Upper Bann

5.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 15 October.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 Mr Butler noted that this would be his last meeting as a Business Committee member and offered thanks to Members, adding that he had enjoyed his time on the Committee.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 8 October in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson