Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.06pm

Present:

Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Ms S Ennis (Acting Chairperson)
Mr T Gaston
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms J Bunting Junior Minister
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 H Smyth Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant 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 the Speaker, Claire Sugden, Trevor Clarke, Philip McGuigan and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 3 February 2026 were agreed.
 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 16 February

Monday 16 February

4.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

4.2 Members noted that two Supply Resolution motions, which had been provisionally scheduled at the last meeting, had been deferred until Monday 23 February.

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

4.4 The junior Minister advised that there may be a statement from the Minister of Finance on this date.

4.5 Members noted that the deferral of the supply resolution motions meant that time had become available to schedule Private Members business.

4.6 The Committee agreed to bring forward the two Private Members’ motions scheduled last week for debate on Tuesday 17 February to Monday 16 February.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 16 February.

Tuesday 17 February

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

4.9 Members noted that Executive business remained as scheduled last week.

4.10 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

4.11 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members motions:

• Clawback of Public Funds from non-GAA Events at Casement Park (TUV)
• Troubles Related Sexual Crimes and Child Sexual Abuse (UUP)

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

4.13 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 17 February. 

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 23 February

Monday 23 February

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a single debate for the following two motions from the Minister of Finance:

• Supply Resolution: 2025/26 Spring Supplementary Estimates
• Supply Resolution for 2026/27 Vote on Account

5.3 The Committee noted its previous agreement to allocate four and a half hours for the debate, with one hour for the Minister to move and wind at his discretion, ten minutes for the Opposition spokesperson and for a member representing the Committee for Finance (if a different Member), and seven minutes for all other speakers.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule First Stage of the Budget Bill.

5.5 Members noted that a motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) had been scheduled to allow business to continue beyond 7pm if necessary.

5.6 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule a public petition for Timothy Gaston entitled Retain Bangor Castle as a Civic Building.

5.9 The Committee agreed that insufficient time was available for Private Members’ motions.

5.10 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 23 February.

Tuesday 24 February

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

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Second Stage of the Budget Bill.

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

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

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion:

• Tackling Disrepair, Damp and Mould (PBPA)

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Fein:

• The Potential of the South West Acute Hospital as a Cross-Border Hospital

5.17 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 24 February.
 

6 Any Other Business

6.1 Mr Gaston advised the Committee of Ms Sugden’s intention to seek the Committee’s agreement to defer her selection of a Private Member’s Motion until after Easter. Members agreed to note the request and deal with it at the relevant time.

6.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate a request from the Minister for the Economy to switch her scheduled Question Time slot on Monday 16 March with that of the Minister of Finance on Monday 23 March.

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 on Tuesday 17 February in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson