Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr A Allen
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Mr A Leitch 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
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from John Stewart, Paula Bradshaw, Philip McGuigan and David Brooks.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 27 May 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.
 

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 9 June

Monday 9 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 Executive Office and the Minister for Communities.

4.3 Members noted that two items of Executive business scheduled for this date at the last meeting had been removed: First Stage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill and the Legislative Consent Motion on the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill.

4.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) on this date.

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a motion to suspend Standing Order 39(2) in respect of the Budget (No. 2) Bill.

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

4.7 The junior Minister advised of a possible statement from the Minister for Communities on this date.

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 9 June.

Tuesday 10 June

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

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

4.11 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected

4.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 10 June.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 16 June

Monday 16 June

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Final Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill.

5.2 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) on this date.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill.

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a single, untimed debate to consider two motions relating to Social Security Benefits Up-rating statutory rules.

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations.

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill.

5.9 Members noted that the Minister for the Economy would make a statement on the Review of Post-School Education, Skills and Training Provision and associated legislative protections, for Young People with Special Educational Needs on this date.

5.10 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister of Justice may be scheduled on this date.

5.11 Members agreed to schedule the motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) and the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill toward the start of business, to allow final checks to be carried out before Final Stage of the Budget (No. 2) Bill later that day.

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

5.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 16 June.

Tuesday 17 June

5.14 Members noted that Tuesday 17 June had been scheduled as the next opposition day.

5.15 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health.

5.16 Members noted that one item of Executive business had been scheduled for this date: Further Consideration Stage of the Agriculture Bill.

5.17 The Committee agreed, in accordance with the agreed criteria for opposition days, to schedule the bill stage after opposition business had concluded.

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

5.19 Members noted that the Minister for the Economy was unavailable from 12pm on this date due to departmental business.

5.20 The Opposition representative selected the following four motions, each of one hour’s duration with corresponding speaking times:

• Housing and the Programme for Government;
• Valuing the Arts;
• A Moratorium on Mineral Licencing; and
• Justice and the Rule of Law.

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

• Reinstatement of Postal Services in Foyle.

5.22 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 17 June.

6 Question Time Rota For September – December 2025

6.1 A Member discussed an option of holding one Question Time on a Monday and two on a Tuesday to accommodate additional items of business that are more likely to be taken on a Monday. Members noted, however, the volume of legislation anticipated in the next session.

6.2 The Committee agreed the draft Question Time rota for the period September to December 2025.

6.3 Members noted that the deadline for names for the ballot for the first Question Time in September should be submitted to the Business Office by Tuesday 1 July, with a deadline for receipt of questions on Monday 1 September.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 Members noted correspondence from the Clerk of the AERC Committee in relation to its review of Assembly Commission engagement on cross-cutting Executive strategies and agreed to consider a response in due course.

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 in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 10 June.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson