Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

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

Observers:

Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McCanny Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms R Ellis 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 Paula Bradshaw and John Stewart.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 25 February 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 10 March

Monday 10 March

4.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Education and Minister of Health.

4.2 Members noted that to facilitate the Programme for Government debate on Monday, the Committee had agreed to defer the DUP motion on the Reclassification of Ketamine until this date.

4.3 As the Justice Minister had limited availability to respond on 10 March, the Committee agreed to switch the motion with another DUP motion on the importance of children’s one-year health review which had been scheduled for 11 March.

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

4.5 The Executive Office representative advised that no other business was expected.

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 10 March.

Tuesday 11 March

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

4.8 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion for the Committee for Communities to extend the committee stage of the Sign Language Bill.

4.9 Members noted that, with the exception of the DUP motions being switched, business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 11 March.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for 18 March 2025

5.1 Members noted that there would be no sitting on Monday 17 March due to the St Patrick’s Day public holiday.

Tuesday 18 March

5.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office

5.3 Members noted that six items of Executive business had been scheduled, as follows:

• Further Consideration Stage: Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27)
• The draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Universal Credit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
• The draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Universal Credit) (Social Sector Size Criteria) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
• The draft Welfare Supplementary Payment (Extension) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
• The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
• LCM on the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Bill

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for all items of Executive business, including a single untimed debate to consider three statutory rules related to welfare supplementary payments.

5.5 The Executive Office representative advised that no other business was expected.

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

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for Sinn Féin:

• Delivering an Irish Language Strategy

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

• Education Authority's Published Admission Number Allocations for Community and Voluntary Playgroups in West Tyrone

5.9 The Executive Office representative advised that all Ministers would be available to respond.

5.10 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 18 March.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 11 March.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.07pm.

Acting Chairperson