Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

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

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms H Smyth Legal Services
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 Claire Sugden, Patsy McGlone, Nuala McAllister and Philip McGuigan.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 17 June 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 30 June

Monday 30 June

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee membership motion for the DUP.

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

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

4.4 The junior Minister advised that four statements were expected, three from the Executive Office and one from the Minister of Finance.

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 30 June.

Tuesday 1 July

4.6 The Committee agreed that, as the Business Committee would not meet the following week, the lunchtime suspension would be removed.

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

4.8 The Committee agreed that oral questions to the Executive Office, which had been postponed on Monday 23 June, would be rescheduled on this date.

4.9 Members noted that questions to the Executive Office, and their order, would remain as originally scheduled.

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

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

4.12 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion for the Committee on Procedures, seeking to establish a new Standing Order 18C, and allocated one hour for the debate.

4.13 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 1 July.

5 Opposition Days

5.1 Members noted an advice paper outlining how plenary time might be allotted to the opposition in the 2025-26 session.

5.2 The Committee agreed dates for opposition days for the autumn term, and to confirm winter dates at the end of the autumn term.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Leader of the Opposition in relation to deadlines for submitting motions for debate on Opposition Days.

6.2 The Committee agreed that the Clerk should prepare a paper on the proposals in the correspondence, for consideration at its meeting in September.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that, unless he had to contact Members over recess, the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 2 September.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.09pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson