Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

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

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 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 Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 7 January 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 20 January 2025

Monday 20 January

4.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and Minister for the Economy.

4.2 Members noted that Executive Business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

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

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

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 20 January 2025.

Tuesday 21 January

4.6 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Education.

4.7 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

4.8 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected.

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

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 21 January.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 27 January 2025

Monday 27 January

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Finance and Minister of Health.

5.2 The Speaker advised that he had received a letter from the Minister of Finance seeking to swap her Question Time slot with that of the Minister for Infrastructure on 28 January, and that the letter was included in Members’ papers.

5.3 The Committee agreed to facilitate the request, therefore Question Time on 27 January would be for the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister of Health.

5.4 Members noted that no Executive business was scheduled for this date.

5.5 The junior Minister advised that that no Executive business was expected.

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

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions for Alliance and DUP.

• Emergency Food Parcels for Children (Alliance)
• Collection and Recycling Scheme for Disposable Nappies (DUP)

5.8 The junior Minister confirmed that the relevant Ministers were available.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 27 January.

Tuesday 28 January

5.10 Members noted that, following their earlier agreement, Question Time was now scheduled for the Minister of Finance.

5.11 Members noted that the Executive business had scheduled three items of business for this date, as follows:

• Consideration Stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill
• The Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (statutory rule)
• The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025 (statutory instrument)

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for both items of secondary legislation.

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

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

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions for Sinn Féin and TUV:

• Supporting a Public Health Approach to Tackling Gambling-Related Harms (All-Party motion)
• Commitment to the Proper Use of Public Monies (TUV)

5.17 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the SDLP:

• Potential closure of Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine

5.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 28 January.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker advised that he had received a request from the Minister of Health seeking to switch his Question Time slot on 11 March with that of the Minister of Finance on 10 March, and that the letter was included in Members’ papers.

6.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate the Minister’s request.

6.3 The Speaker advised that, due to refurbishment work in Room 106, it would be out of use for the next two weeks, so Business Committee meetings would be held in the Senate Chamber for the following two weeks.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that the next scheduled meeting would take place during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 21 January in the Senate Chamber.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson