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 P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms A Reilly 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
Ms L Hogg Chief Executive
Ms T Caul Director of Legal, Governance and Research
Mr J McMillen Head of 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 Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 26 November were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 9 December

Monday 9 December

4.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and Health.

4.2 Members noted that a legislative consent motion remained scheduled but there was no additional Executive Business.

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

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 9 December.

Tuesday 10 December

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

4.7 The Committee agreed to schedule a single, untimed debate to consider two Statutory Rules related to Climate Change.

4.8 The junior Minister advised of the possibility of two ministerial statements.

4.9 The Speaker advised that, as he had announced in the Chamber the day before, a democratic consent motion had been tabled.

4.10 The Speaker advised Members of a letter he had received in relation to the scheduling of the motion and members were provided with a tabled copy. Members also noted that a Point of Order on a similar issue had been raised that morning in plenary.

4.11 The Speaker advised that the Head of Legal Services was present and if Members wished, would provide advice on the issues raised in the correspondence. The Committee agreed to seek advice from the Head of Legal Services.

4.12 The junior Minister and TEO representative left the meeting.

4.13 The Head of Legal Services provided advice to Members on scheduling of the democratic consent motion and responded to questions.

4.14 The Committee was content that there was no legal impediment to scheduling the motion and agreed that the democratic consent motion would remain scheduled.

4.15 Some members expressed the view that scheduling decisions taken by the Committee should not be subject to influence from any other source.

4.16 The representative for the smaller parties noted that she had not had the opportunity to speak to the parties she represents since this issue had arisen and clarified that she was only representing herself on this occasion.

4.17 The Committee agreed that the debate would be untimed.

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

4.19 Members noted that as there would be no Business Committee meeting on 10 December, plenary business could continue up until Question Time.

4.20 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 10 December.

5 Any Other Business

5.1 There was no other business.

6 Date and Time of Next Meeting

6.1 The Speaker advised that the next scheduled meeting was due to take place on 7 January.

6.2 The Committee agreed to meet via MS Teams on that date.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.15pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson