Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02 pm

Present:

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

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron 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 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 Claire Sugden.

1.2 The Speaker welcomed Gerry Carroll, who was attending in place of Claire Sugden.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 14 January 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 27 January 2025

Monday 27 January

4.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister for Infrastructure and Minister of Health.

4.2 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

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 27 January.

Tuesday 28 January

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

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

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

4.9 Members noted that all other business remained as scheduled at the last meeting, but that in light of developments since the last meeting, the TUV had provided revised wording for its Private Members motion.

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 28 January.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 3 February 2025

Monday 3 February

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 Executive Office and Minister of Justice.

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

5.4 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected.

5.5 Members noted that the Assembly Commission was seeking to schedule a motion on this date, the detail of which was yet to be confirmed.

5.6 As this was a scheduled Opposition day, the Committee agreed that the Commission motion would be scheduled after opposition business.

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

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

5.9 The Committee agreed to schedule the following opposition motions:

• Enhancing Accountability and Trust in Government
• Fixing the Health Crisis
• Support for First Time Buyers
• Towards a Shared Island

5.10 The Committee agreed that standard speaking times for a one-hour debate would apply, with five minutes for the move and wind and three minutes for all other contributions.

5.11 The junior Minister confirmed that all Ministers were available.

5.12 The opposition representative noted that there had been agreement that no controversial business would be scheduled on an Opposition Day, and asked if the Assembly Commission motion could be moved to Tuesday 4 February.

5.13 The Speaker replied that the agreement was for opposition business to take priority on an Opposition Day and that any other business would be scheduled after it, which was why the Commission motion was being scheduled at the end of the sitting. The opposition representative said on that basis he would accept the decision.

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 3 February.

Tuesday 4 February

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

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate on a Legislative Consent Motion on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

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

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

5.19 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a prayer of annulment in relation to the Direct Payments to Farmers (Cross-Compliance) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2024, from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.20 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for Sinn Féin

• Supporting Learning Pathways for our Young People

5.21 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:

• Belfast Night Time Economy

5.22 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 4 February.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that due to ongoing refurbishments, the next meeting would again take place in the Senate Chamber during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 28 January.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson