Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Ms K Nicholl

Observers:

Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McCanny Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Mrs L Hogg Chief Executive
Ms R Ellis Legal Advisor
Ms A McCabe Legal Advisor
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the 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 Paula Bradshaw and Lord Elliott.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 17 September 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 30 September

Monday 30 September

4.1 Members noted their prior agreement for opposition business to be given priority on this date.

4.2 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Justice.

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

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 30 September.

Tuesday 1 October

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

4.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a second Question Time slot for questions to the Minister of Health, which had been due to take place that day but had to be postponed.

4.7 Members noted that Executive Business remained as scheduled last week.

4.8 The Executive Office representative advised of the possibility of two Ministerial Statements for this date.

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

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 1 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 7 October

Monday 7 October

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

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

5.3 The Executive Office representative advised of the possibility of one Ministerial Statement 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 the SDLP and Sinn Féin with standard timings.

5.6 The following Private Members’ motions were scheduled:

• Draft Programme for Government (SDLP)
• Farmers' Basic Payment Scheme (Sinn Féin)

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 7 October.

Tuesday 8 October

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

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

5.10 The Executive Office representative advised that no further business was expected at that time.

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule a debate for the Committee for Health on Children’s Social Care Services, with standard timings.

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

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion for Alliance and an adjournment debate for Sinn Féin, the details of both to be notified to the Business Office following the meeting.

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 8 October.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 A member raised concerns about the duration of recent plenary sittings and, having sought information from TEO on anticipated legislation, Members discussed approaches to scheduling business in future.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

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

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

 The Speaker
Chairperson