Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.04pm

Present:

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

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
Mr S Kelly 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 Patsy McGlone.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 8 October 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 21 October

Monday 21 October

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee membership motion for the UUP, and that it would be treated as a business motion with no amendment or debate.

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

4.3 Members noted that the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals), which had been scheduled at the last meeting, had been postponed until 4 November.

4.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the draft Period Products (The Executive Office Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations.

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations.

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

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

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 21 October.

Tuesday 22 October

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

4.10 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

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

4.12 Members noted that the text of the Committee on Procedures motion, which they had scheduled at the last meeting, had been agreed and was provided on the draft Order Paper.

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

4.14 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 22 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 4 November

Monday 4 November

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Minister for Communities.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024, which was being rescheduled on this date.

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

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

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

5.6 The following Private Members’ motions were selected:

• Rejuvenating our High Streets and Town Centres (Alliance)
• Release of Police Ombudsman’s Report into the Kingsmill Massacre (DUP)

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 4 November.

Tuesday 5 November

5.8 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for the Economy, but that the Minister had written to the Speaker requesting that he switch his Question Time slot with that of the Finance Minister on 12 November.

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

5.10 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

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

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions for Sinn Féin and the SDLP.

5.13 The Committee agreed that Sinn Féin would provide the details of their motion to Business Office by the end of the day.

5.14 The following Private Members’ motion was scheduled for SDLP:

• Implementation of RHI Inquiry recommendations

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Impact of the pause in City Deal in Fermanagh and South Tyrone

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 5 November.
 

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 22 October in room 106, Parliament Buildings. The Speaker explained that he would not be available but alternative arrangements would be made.

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

Sinéad Ennis
Acting Chairperson