Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr A Allen
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr G Middleton
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

Mrs P Cameron 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 Clerk/Chief Executive
Ms H Smyth Legal Adviser
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr P Stitt PS to the 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 Trevor Clarke and Philip McGuigan.

1.2 Gary Middleton attended in place of Trevor Clarke.

1.3 The Speaker formally welcomed Andy Allen and John Stewart as members of the Committee and wished former member Robbie Butler well in his new role as AERA Committee Chair.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 1 October 2024 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 14 October

Monday 14 October

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

4.2 Members noted that Executive business remained as scheduled at the last meeting.

4.3 The junior Minister advised that there was a possibility of a statement from the Minister of Health.

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 14 October.

Tuesday 15 October

4.6 Members noted that 15 October was scheduled as an opposition day.

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

4.8 Members noted that there was no Executive Business.

4.9 The junior Minister advised that no additional business was expected at that time.

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

4.11 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 15 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 21 October

Monday 21 October

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and the Minister for Infrastructure.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order.

5.3 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected at that time.

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

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions for the UUP and Sinn Féin.

5.6 The following Private Members’ motions were selected:
• Support for Deaf Children (UUP)
• Addressing the Lack of Respite Provision for Adults with Learning Difficulties, Complex Needs and Challenging Behaviour (SF)

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 21 October.

Tuesday 22 October

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

5.9 Members noted that no Executive Business had been requested.

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule one and a half hours of plenary time for a motion from the Committee on Procedures, the details of which would be confirmed at a later stage.

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

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule Private Members’ motions for the DUP and Sinn Féin.

5.13 The following Private Members motion was scheduled for the DUP:
• Creating a Register of Animal Welfare Offenders

5.14 The Committee agreed that Sinn Féin could provide the details of their motion to the Business Office later that day.

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Alliance:
• Homelessness in South Down

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 22 October.

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 at 1pm on Tuesday 15 October in room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.08pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson