Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.04pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr R Butler
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke
Lord Elliott
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms T Caul Director of Legal, Governance & Research
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Colin McGrath, David Brooks and Philip McGuigan.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 10 September 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 23 September

Monday 23 September

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

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

4.3 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 23 September.

Tuesday 24 September

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

4.5 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled for this date.

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

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

4.8 The Speaker advised that Private Members’ motions for Sinn Féin and DUP had been agreed at the last meeting but details of the DUP motion remained outstanding.

4.9 The Committee agreed that the DUP would notify its motion to the Business Office that afternoon.

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 24 September.

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

Monday 30 September

5.1 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority on this date.

5.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister of Justice.

5.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested for this date.

5.4 The junior Minister advised that no further business was expected at that time.

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

5.6 The representative for the Opposition scheduled the following motions:

• Mental Health Provision in Northern Ireland
• Reinstatement of Community and Voluntary Funding
• Cross-departmental Co-operation on Children’s Mental Health

5.7 The Committee agreed the Opposition’s request to allocate 90 minutes for the first two debates and 60 minutes for the remaining debate, with the usual speaking times for each.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 30 September.

Tuesday 1 October

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

5.10 Members noted that the Executive had scheduled one item of business for this date: Second Stage of the Justice Bill.

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Second Stage of the Bill.

5.12 The junior Minister advised that no further business was expected at that time.

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

5.14 Following discussion, the Committee agreed not to schedule Private Members’ motions.

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the SDLP:
• Northern Ireland Environment Agency Waste Management Issues in Warrenpoint.

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 1 October.

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 24 September in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson