Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mrs S Ennis
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Ms C Sugden
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms A McCabe 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
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Andy Allen and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 4 February 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 17 February

Monday 17 February

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee membership motion from Sinn Féin as a business motion with no debate.

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

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion from the Minister of Finance to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4), as a business motion with no debate.

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

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

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 17 February.

Tuesday 18 February

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

4.8 Members noted that First Stage of the School Uniforms Bill had been scheduled, and would be added to Indicative Timings when the Bill’s legislative competence had been confirmed.

4.9 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the motion to suspend Standing Order 42(5) from the Minister of Finance.

4.10 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the motion to suspend Standing Order 39(2) from the Minister of Finance.

4.11 The Committee noted that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs did not move his motion on the draft Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations earlier that day, and agreed to reschedule it on this date.

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

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

4.14 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 18 February.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 24 February 2025

Monday 24 February

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister of Justice, but that the Minister for the Economy had written to the Speaker to request that she switch her slot on 4 March with that of the Minister for Infrastructure.

5.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate the requested switch.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following Bill stages:

• Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill
• Consideration Stage of the Child Support Enforcement Bill

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

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion:

• Delivering a New Deal for Private Renters in Northern Ireland (Alliance)

5.7 The DUP selected a motion which required clarification after the meeting had concluded.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 24 February.

Tuesday 25 February

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

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following Bill stages:

• Further Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill
• Final Stage of the Budget Bill

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

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

5.13 Members noted that time would be needed between Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage of the Budget Bill, to allow for legal checks to be carried out.

5.14 To enable the necessary work to be undertaken, the Committee agreed to schedule Private Members motions between the two Bill stages.

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

• Strategic Planning for an Ageing Population (IND - Claire Sugden)
• Improving Procurement Practices for Schools (Sinn Féin)

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for DUP:
• Lack of dentists and out of hours dental service in Fermanagh and South Tyrone (DUP)

5.17 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 25 February.

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 in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 18 February.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.07pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson