Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.00pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms A Reilly 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 L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Ms M Corrigan Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant PS to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Clerk
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, Nuala McAllister, Philip McGuigan and Patsy McGlone.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 5 May 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

Mr Trevor Clarke joined the meeting.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 18 May

Monday 18 May

4.1 Members noted their prior agreement that Opposition business would be given priority on this date.

4.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Minister for Communities.

4.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

4.5 The Committee noted recent developments relating to the previously scheduled Opposition motion on Funding for the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project and agreed to replace it with the following motion:

• Change on these Islands

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

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 18 May.

Tuesday 19 May

4.8 The Committee agreed to schedule a committee membership motion for Sinn Féin.

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

4.10 Members noted that First Stage of the Education Inspections Bill would be included on Indicative Timings on this date when legislative competence had been confirmed.

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

4.12 Members noted that since the Committee for Communities motion had been scheduled for debate at the last meeting, Business Office had received confirmation that the Minister for Communities would not be available to respond to it. The Committee agreed to the Committee’s request to reschedule the motion to Tuesday 26 May, and to replace it with a Private Members motion.

4.13 The Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for the DUP:

• The Irish Government’s Failure to Cooperate on Legacy Cases

4.14 It was agreed that, following the meeting, officials would check whether a similar motion had been debated on this topic in the last six months.

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

4.16 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 19 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for 26 May

5.1 Members noted that there would be no plenary on Monday 25 May as it was a public holiday.
Tuesday 26 May
5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Michelle Guy entitled ‘Road Safety Improvements for Dromara’.

5.3 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for:

• Further Consideration Stage of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill;

• Further Consideration Stage of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill; and

• The draft Baby Loss Certificate Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to reschedule the motion from the Committee for Communities on its Report on Engagement with Local Government on the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to reschedule Alliance’s postponed adjournment debate on Access to Early Intervention and Family Support Services in North Antrim.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 26 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 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 19 May in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson