Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Mr R Butler
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
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 C Byers Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser 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, Paula Bradshaw, Philip McGuigan and Patsy McGlone.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 25 November 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 8 December

Monday 8 December

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

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

4.3 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected.

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 8 December.

Tuesday 9 December

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

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

4.7 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected.

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 9 December.

Mr Robbie Butler joined the meeting at 13.04pm.

5 Correspondence

5.1 Members noted correspondence from Ms Bradshaw, as Deputy Chair of the Women’s Caucus, providing an update on its work in relation to a Gender Sensitive Parliament Audit.

5.2 Members considered correspondence from the Committee on Procedures, setting out the impact of a consequential amendment to Standing Order 22 relating to public petitions, resulting from a proposed repeal of Standing Order 70.

5.3 Mr Butler and Mr Clarke declared an interest as Members of the Committee on Procedures.

5.4 The Committee agreed to seek legal advice on any impact the proposed amendment has on its role on whether and when a public petition shall be taken in the Assembly.

6 Date and Time of Next Meeting

6.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place after the Christmas recess, at 1pm on Tuesday 6 January.

6.2 The Committee agreed that the meeting would take place via MS Teams.

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

The Speaker
Chairperson