Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

Mr A Allen
Mr T Clarke (Acting Chairperson)
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr D McCrossan
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Ms C Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Ms L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Mr A Leitch Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Asst PS to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from the Speaker, David Brooks, Colin McGrath, Patsy McGlone and Paula Bradshaw.

1.2 The Acting Chairperson advised that he was chairing the meeting in place of the Speaker, and Daniel McCrossan was attending as a substitute for Colin McGrath.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 13 May 2025 were agreed.
 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for Tuesday 27 May

4.1 Members noted that there would be no sitting on Monday 26 May as it was a bank holiday.

Tuesday 27 May

4.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office.

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

4.4 The junior Minister advised of the possibility of three statements from the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Minister for Communities and Minister for Infrastructure.

4.5 The Committee agreed that Alliance could change the Private Members’ motion they had previously scheduled, as the original motion had been the topic of a Ministerial statement in plenary the previous day. Alliance selected a motion on Access to Dental Care.

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 27 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 2 June

Monday 2 June

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

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

5.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

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

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule the following opposition motions:

• Improving Safety at School Bus Stops (1hr);
• A European Future for Northern Ireland (1.5hrs); and
• Tuition Fees Increase (1.5hrs).

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Stewart Dickson entitled ‘Make pancreatic cancer detection a health priority’.

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 2 June.

Tuesday 3 June

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Further Consideration Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill.

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 a debate for the Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2025-26.

5.11 The Committee agreed to allocate 4½ hours for the debate, with 1 hour for the Minister to use for the move and wind at his discretion, 10 minutes for a representative of the Opposition, 10 minutes for a representative of the Committee for Finance (if a different contributor than the representative from the Opposition) and 7 minutes for all other contributions.

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule the First Stage of the Budget Bill which would be untimed.

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

5.14 The Committee agreed that insufficient time was available for Private Members’ motions but agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:

• Social and Affordable Housing in East Belfast

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 3 June.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Acting Chairperson advised that the next meeting would take place in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 27 May.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson