Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr T Gaston
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister

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
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Mr A Leitch Legal Adviser
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary 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 Claire Sugden, Philip McGuigan and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

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

3 Matters Arising

3.1 Members noted the explanation provided by the Department of Finance regarding the need to reschedule the debate on the Supply Resolution Motions from 16th to 23rd February.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 23 February

Monday 23 February

4.1 Members noted that the Public Petition requested by Mr Gaston at the last meeting was now scheduled.

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

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

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

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 23 February.

Tuesday 24 February

4.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Philip McGuigan entitled ‘Urgent Call for Action on Fairhill Street, Ballycastle’.

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

4.8 Members agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a motion to suspend Standing Order 39(2).

4.9 Members noted that a Legislative Consent Motion for the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill had been scheduled. The Committee also noted correspondence from the Minister of Health outlining why the Motion had been scheduled outside of the timescales in Standing Orders.

4.10 Members agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Legislative Consent Motion and the Motion to suspend Standing Order 39(2).

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

4.12 The junior Minister advised that no other Executive business was expected.

4.13 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 24 February.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 2 March

Monday 2 March

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Kate Nicholl entitled ‘Improved Pedestrian Safety in Carryduff’.

5.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister of Health.

5.3 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill.

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

5.5 The Committee agreed to set aside 30 minutes of plenary time for the Audit Committee to debate a motion on the Review of the Salary Arrangements for the Comptroller and Auditor General, details of which would be confirmed next week. The Committee agreed to schedule 5 minutes for all contributions, including the move and wind.

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

• Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (SDLP)
• Promoting Cross-Border Education (SF)

5.7 The junior Minister advised that all Ministers would be available.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 2 March.

Tuesday 3 March

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

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Further Consideration Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill.

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion for the Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) 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 a motion for Members of the Women’s Caucus, to coincide with International Women’s Day 2026. The Committee agreed to allocate one hour to the debate, with ten minutes to move, five to wind and five for all other contributions.

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

• An Enhanced Regional Eating Disorder Service (DUP)

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

• Day Centre Transport Services in East Belfast

5.18 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 3 March.

6 Legal Advice: Proposed Amendment to Standing Order 22 (2)

Junior Minister Reilly left the meeting at 1.08pm.

6.1 Members noted legal advice, and also a paper from the Clerk which included correspondence from the Speaker to the Committee on Procedures, regarding a proposed amendment to Standing Order 22(2) as a consequence of the proposed repeal of Standing Order 70.

6.2 Following discussion, the Committee agreed to write to the Committee on Procedures to endorse the position of the Speaker suggesting that an amendment to Standing Order 22(2) is considered by that Committee, to only prevent the Business Committee from scheduling petitions containing matters which would create a substantial risk that the course of justice, in particular legal proceedings, would be seriously impeded or prejudiced.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to seek an update on the Executive’s Legislative Programme.

7.2 There was no other business.

8 Date and Time of Next Meeting

8.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 24 February in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.16pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson