Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

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

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 R Ellis Legal Adviser
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Asst. 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 Claire Sugden, Nuala McAllister, David Brooks, John Stewart and Philip McGuigan.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 22 October 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 11 November

Monday 11 November

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a presentation of a public petition for Colm Gildernew.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee Membership motion for the Alliance party.

4.3 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and Minister of Education.

4.4 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

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

4.6 The junior Minister advised of the possibility of two ministerial statements on this date.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 11 November.

Tuesday 12 November

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

4.9 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

4.10 The junior Minister indicated that no business was currently expected for this date.

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

4.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 12 November.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 18 November

Monday 18 November

5.1 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority.

5.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health and Minister for Infrastructure.

5.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

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

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule the following opposition motions:

• Breaking the Ministerial Code
• Future EU Relationship
• Universal, Affordable, Child-centred Childcare
• City Centre Dereliction

5.6 The Committee agreed to the Opposition’s request to schedule one hour for each of the motions with five minutes for the move and wind and three minutes for all other contributions.

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 18 November.

Tuesday 19 November

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

5.9 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions for Sinn Féin and the DUP:

• Addressing the Problem of Bovine TB (SF)
• Protecting Farming Families Following the Autumn Budget 2024 (DUP)

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the UUP:
• Special Educational Needs Provision in North Antrim

5.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 19 November.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker advised that he had received correspondence from Andy Allen in relation to the process for tabling and selection of Private Members’ motions.

6.2 Mr Allen explained his specific concern and asked if the Committee would consider whether there might be a more efficient process for tabling and scheduling Private Members’ business to avoid it reoccurring.

6.3 The Speaker noted that this was the first time the issue had arisen and following discussion, the Committee agreed to monitor the process as it currently exists and review again in the event that a similar issue arises.

6.4 A member asked why the Alliance party committee membership motion was appointing Mr Dickson to the Standards and Privileges committee when he was already on that Committee. It was explained that Mr Dickson was Deputy Chair of the Committee but was resigning from that role and, because a Deputy Chair is nominated to a Committee by their party in accordance with the d’Hondt process, they are not automatically a member of that committee when they resign and have to be appointed by motion to remain a member.

6.5 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place at 1pm on Tuesday 12 November in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.13pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson