Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr J Stewart

Observers:

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 J Byers Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Clerk
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer
Mr F Geddis Clerk Assistant
Ms L Marsh Assembly Clerk

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, Philip McGuigan and Paula Bradshaw.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 12 May 2026 were agreed. 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.
 

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for Tuesday 26 May

4.1 Members noted that there would be no plenary on Monday 25 May as it was a public holiday.
Tuesday 26 May

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

4.3 Members noted that the Minister of Finance would make a statement on the Transformation Fund on this date.

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

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule a Committee membership motion for the DUP, the details of which would be provided to the Business Office after the meeting.

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

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 26 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 1 June

Monday 1 June

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

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

• Second Stage of the Education Inspections Bill
• The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (NI) Regulations 2026

5.3 The Executive Office representative advised of the possibility of up to three statements on this date, all on NSMC meetings.

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 UUP:

• Banning the use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 1 June.

Tuesday 2 June

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill.

5.9 Bill Office officials briefed the Committee on their memo on the management of the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill, including the deadline for tabling amendments.

5.10 The Committee noted that, given the Bill’s complexity and the volume of amendments, it was expected that more than one plenary day, possibly three or four, would be required to give it proper scrutiny.

5.11 There was discussion regarding how parties might informally manage the stage, and agreement that there should be an evening suspension and a natural flexible finishing point each day it is debated, to ensure orderly and effective scrutiny. The Committee noted that the debate would be resumed at the next scheduled sitting.

5.12 The Committee agreed not to schedule an adjournment debate but to schedule Members’ Statements at the start of the sitting.

5.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 2 June.

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 26 May in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.15pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson