Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke
Mr T Gaston
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Mr Simon Kelly Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, Diana Armstrong, Sinéad Ennis, David Brooks and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

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

3 Matters Arising

3.1 Members noted correspondence between the Speaker and the First Minister and deputy First Minister in relation to the Executive’s legislative programme.

3.2 There were no other matters arising.
 

4 Order Paper and Indicative Timings for Monday 16 March

Monday 16 March

4.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister of Finance.

4.2 Members noted that the First Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill had been scheduled and would appear on Indicative Timings when the Speaker was satisfied that it was within legislative competence.

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate on a Legislative Consent Motion for the Crime and Policing Bill.

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

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

4.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion in the name of the Business Committee to suspend Standing Orders 10 (2) to 10(4), to enable business to continue beyond 7pm.

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

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing Monday 23 March

Monday 23 March

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the draft Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

5.3 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive 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 an untimed debate for Second Stage of the Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill.

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

• Tackling Waste and Inefficiency in Government (DUP)

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 23 March.

Tuesday 24 March

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

5.9 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items of business:

• First Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill

• Final Stage of the Insolvency Amendment Bill

• Consideration Stage of the Sign Language Bill

• Consideration Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill

• Consideration Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill

• The draft Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2026

• The Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

• The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Miscarriage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

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

5.11 Members noted that scheduling of Consideration Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill would be subject to the Assembly agreeing accelerated passage of the Bill later that afternoon. It agreed that if the Assembly did not give consent for the Bill to proceed by accelerated passage, Consideration Stage would not be included on the Provisional Order paper.

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

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

5.14 Following a request, the Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion:

• Renewables to Enhance Northern Ireland’s Energy Security (Alliance)

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

• A1 Junctions Phase 2

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 24 March.
 

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 on Monday 16 March.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.07pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson