Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

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

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 S Kelly Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant PS to Speaker
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 24 March 2026 were agreed.

2.2 The minutes of the meeting on 30 March 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 20 April

Monday 20 April

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

4.2 Members noted that First Stage of the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill had been scheduled and would be added to Indicative Timings when legislative competence checks were completed.

4.3 Members noted that the Sheep Carcase Classification regulations, which had been scheduled at the last meeting, had been removed.

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

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

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 20 April.

Tuesday 21 April

4.7 The Opposition representative confirmed that they wished to schedule the following motions:

• Response to the Cost-of-living Crisis
• Tackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use
• Drug Dealing Sentencing

4.8 The Committee agreed to allocate 90 minutes for the first two motions and 60 minutes for the third motion, with associated speaking times.

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

4.10 Mr Clarke noted that Opposition business would conclude at 4.45pm and suggested there was sufficient time to add private members’ business (in addition to the scheduled adjournment debate). Other Members noted that, as this was a scheduled Opposition day, the Opposition decides the agenda. Mr McGrath expressed the view that any proposed changes to already agreed principles would require further consideration on another day.

4.11 Mr Clarke formally recorded his concern regarding the estimated adjournment time. Mr McGrath formally recorded his concern that the suggestion to add private members’ business on scheduled Opposition days was contrary to the Committee’s agreed principles.

4.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 21 April.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing Monday 27 April

Monday 27 April

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

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

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

• Climate Change (Just Transition Commission) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

5.3 The junior Minister 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 the following Private Members’ motion for Sinn Féin:

• Bovine Tuberculosis

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 27 April.

Tuesday 28 April

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items:

• Second Stage of the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill

• Final Stage of the Sign Language Bill

5.9 Members noted that scheduling of Second Stage of the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill was subject to its introduction on 20 April.

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

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

• Tackling Barriers to Accessing an NHS Dentist

5.12 Following discussion, the Committee agreed to schedule an additional Private Members’ motion. The following motion was selected for Alliance:

• Support for Special Educational Needs Coordinators

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for SDLP:

• Development of St Patrick’s day in Downpatrick

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 28 April.

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 21 April in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.10pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson