Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 8.51pm

Present:

Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke (Acting Chairperson)
Ms S Ennis
Mr T Gaston
Mr C McGrath
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

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
Ms Helen Smyth Legal Services
Mr Paul Stitt Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from the Speaker, Claire Sugden, Diana Armstrong, Nuala McAllister, Philip McGuigan, Patsy McGlone and David Brooks.

1.2 Mr Clarke chaired the meeting in the Speaker’s absence.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 10 March 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Paper and Indicative Timings for week commencing Monday 23 March

Monday 23 March

4.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Education and Minister for the Economy.

4.2 Members noted that all business was as scheduled at the last meeting.

4.3 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 23 March.

Tuesday 24 March

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

4.6 Members noted that First Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill and the Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order, both of which were provisionally scheduled for this date, had been deferred until 13 April.

4.7 Members noted that the Minister of Health had written to the Speaker to advise that he would make a statement on the Minimum Unit Price of Alcohol on this date.

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

4.9 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 24 March.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing Monday 13 April

Monday 13 April

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister for Infrastructure.

5.2 Members noted that First Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill had been rescheduled on this date and would appear on Indicative Timings when the Speaker was satisfied that it was within legislative competence.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

5.4 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Second Stage of the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill.

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

• Continuation of PEACEPLUS Funding beyond 2027

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 13 April.

Tuesday 14 April

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

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Further Consideration Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill.

5.11 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

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

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill.

5.14 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for the DUP:

• Conducting a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Net Zero Policies

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for DUP:

• Lack of NHS dental places in North Belfast

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 14 April.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority on Tuesday 21 April.

6.2 The Committee noted its prior agreement to allow flexibility when deadlines for submission of motions are impacted by recess periods, and agreed that the opposition should table its motions, for debate on 21 April, no later than noon on Monday 13 April.

6.3 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Acting Chairperson advised that the next meeting would take place during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 24 March in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 8.58pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson