Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

Mr A Allen
Mr D Brooks
Ms S Ennis (Acting Chairperson)
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart
Ms C Sugden

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 Adviser
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary 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 the Speaker, Trevor Clarke and Paula Bradshaw.

1.2 The Acting Chairperson noted that she would be chairing the meeting on the Speaker’s behalf.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 15 October 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 4 November

Monday 4 November

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

4.2 Members were informed that since the last meeting, Legal Services had advised that the motion on the Release of Police Ombudsman’s Report into the Kingsmill Massacre was sub judice and that the extent to which debate on it would be allowed, would be at the discretion of the Speaker.

4.3 The DUP chose to keep the motion on the Order Paper rather than replace it.

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

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 4 November.

Tuesday 5 November

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

4.7 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

4.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a motion from the Committee for Justice to extend the Committee Stage of the Justice Bill.

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

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 5 November.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 11 November

Monday 11 November

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and Minister of Education.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the draft Fair Employment (Monitoring) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

5.3 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister for the Economy was expected for this date.

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:

• Statutory Duty of Candour (Alliance)
• Tackling the high number of unadopted housing developments and roads (DUP)

5.7 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers would be available to respond.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 11 November.

Tuesday 12 November

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

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 a motion from the Committee for the Executive Office calling for a review of racist incidents.

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion for the UUP.

5.14 As the DUP had selected a motion very similar to that which the UUP intended to schedule, the Committee agreed that the UUP could submit an alternative motion at a later stage.

5.15 As he had joined the Committee only recently, the UUP representative sought clarification on guidance for the submission of motions and was advised that Members could submit motions at any time when the Assembly was not in recess but that motions for selection for a provisional order paper, must be tabled in the Business Office by 12 noon on the Tuesday of the relevant Business Committee meeting.

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:
• Financial Support for Rural Communities in Mid Ulster

5.17 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 12 November.

6 Operation of the Democratic Consent Process

6.1 Members noted receipt of an Advice Paper on the Operation of the Democratic Consent Process, and its implications for the Business Committee.

6.2 The Acting Chairperson briefly summarised the contents of the paper and responded to questions.

6.3 The Committee agreed the recommendations contained within the paper.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 A Member noted the lack of legislation coming from the Executive and that this was impeding MLAs’ ability to carry out a significant part of their roles. The Member asked if government departments could be encouraged to bring forward legislation.

7.2 There was no other business.

8 Date and Time of Next Meeting

8.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 5 November in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.11pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson