Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

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

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Ms R Ellis 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 Philip McGuigan, David Brooks, and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 10 June 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 23 June

Monday 23 June

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

4.2 Members noted that the Minister of Justice had given notice to the Speaker of her intention to reschedule her statement on Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters, which had originally been scheduled on 16 June.

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

4.4 The junior Minister advised of a possible statement from the Minister of Finance on this date.

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 23 June.

Tuesday 24 June

4.6 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Justice and the Assembly Commission.

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

4.8 The junior Minister advised of a possible statement from the Minister for Infrastructure on this date.

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 24 June.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 30 June

Monday 30 June

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Michelle McIlveen entitled “Stop the Nutrients Action Programme’.

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

5.3 Members noted that the following four items of Executive Business had been scheduled:

• Final Stage of the Agriculture Bill;
• Second Stage of the Adult Protection Bill;
• Legislative Consent Motion for the Rare Cancers Bill; and
• Motion on the Data (Use and Access) Bill.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for all items of business.

5.5 The junior Minister advised that no additional 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 a motion for the Committee for Education on Restrictive Practices in Education Settings.

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule 90 minutes for the debate, with 10 minutes to move and wind and 5 minutes for all other speakers.

5.9 The Committee agreed to schedule a business motion to suspend Standing Order 10(2) to 10(4) to allow business to continue after 7pm.

5.10 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 30 June.

Tuesday 1 July

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

5.12 Members noted that five items of Executive business had been scheduled for this date, as follows:

• Second Stage of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill;
• Second Stage of the Dilapidation Bill;
• Second Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill;
• Second Stage of the Administrative and Finance Provisions Bill; and
• Legislative Consent Motion for the Animal Welfare (Import of Cats, Dogs and Ferrets) Bill.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for all items of business.

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

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

5.16 The Committee agreed to consider the scheduling of any Private Members’ Business at next week’s meeting, when the position on Executive business was clearer.

5.17 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 1 July.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker advised that an options paper on Opposition Days for the 2025-26 session will be considered at next week’s meeting.

6.2 Members briefly discussed the practice of naming dissenting voices when the question is put, rather than dividing on the vote.

6.3 The Committee conveyed its sympathies to John Blair MLA on the passing of his father.

6.4 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 24 June.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.12pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson