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
Mr P McGuigan

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Ms H Smyth Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms 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, David Brooks and John Stewart.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 29 April were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 12 May

Monday 12 May

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

4.2 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected at that time.

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

4.4 Members noted the differences in the motion scheduled for 12th May on Tackling Unacceptable Waiting Times and the motion debated on 3rd February 2025 on Fixing the Health Crisis.

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 12 May.

Tuesday 13 May

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

4.7 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected at that time.

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

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 13 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 19 May 2025

Monday 19 May

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Communities and Minister of Finance.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a debate for the Final Budget 2025/26.

5.3 The Committee agreed to allocate 4½ hours for the debate, with 1 hour for the Minister to use for the move and wind at his discretion, 10 minutes for a representative of the Opposition, 10 minutes for a representative of the Committee for Finance and 7 minutes for all other contributions.

5.4 A Member observed that during previous similar debates, the time allocated to the Minister had not been fully utilised. The Speaker replied that the Minister had indicated he needed an hour to move and wind, and the Committee was content to retain that allocation in line with previous debates.

5.5 The junior Minister 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 that insufficient time was available for Private Members motions.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 19 May.

Tuesday 20 May

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

5.10 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

5.11 The junior Minister advised of the possibility of Ministerial Statements from Health and Infrastructure on this date.

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

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions:

• Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts (SF)
• Creating a Level Playing Field in Pre-School Admissions (DUP)

5.14 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Improving Mobile Phone Coverage in West Belfast

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 20 May.

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 13 May.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson