Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Mr J Stewart
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant PS to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Andy Allen, Sinéad Ennis, Nuala McAllister and Patsy McGlone. Mr Butler attended in place of Mr Allen.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 24 June 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 8 September

Monday 8 September

4.1 Members noted that business would commence with tributes to former MLA Tommy Gallagher, who had passed away over the summer recess period.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a 45-minute debate for the Assembly Commission to appoint a new Commissioner for Standards.

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule committee membership motions for the SDLP and UUP as business motions with no debate or amendment.

4.4 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and the Minister of Education, but no other Executive business had been scheduled.

4.5 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

4.6 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Committee for the Economy to extend the Committee Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill.

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

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

• Moving beyond the Windsor Framework (DUP)
• Crisis in Special Educational Needs (ALL)

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 8 September.

Tuesday 9 September

4.10 Members noted that the Minister of Education would make a statement on Implementation of the TransformED Strategy on this date.

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

4.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider a Legislative Consent Motion on the Mental Health Bill.

4.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Committee for Health to extend Committee Stage of the Adult Protection Bill.

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

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

• End the Forced Starvation in Gaza (SF)
• Saving Lough Neagh (SDLP)

4.16 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the DUP:
• The Future of Services at South West Acute Hospital

4.17 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 9 September.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 15 September

Monday 15 September

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Health and Minister for Infrastructure.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

5.3 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

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’ motions:

• Delivering a New Road Maintenance Strategy (DUP)

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 15 September.

Tuesday 16 September

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

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Second Stage of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

5.9 The junior Minister advised that no other business was expected.

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’ motions:

• Bonfire Regulation (SF)
• Sectarian and Racist Intimidation from Homes (ALL)

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Alliance:

• Paramilitary and Criminal Gang Activity in East Antrim

5.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 16 September.

6 Deadlines for Opposition Day Business

6.1 Members considered an options paper on deadlines for Opposition Day business, as requested by the Committee at the last meeting.

6.2 The Speaker acknowledged the concerns raised by the Opposition, recognising the value of topicality. The Committee noted, however, the Assembly procedures that facilitate Members to raise additional topical and urgent issues during plenary sittings at short notice after the Order Paper has issued.

6.3 Following discussion, Members voted on the following proposal:

To retain the existing deadline but build in some flexibility when Easter or Halloween recess impacts on deadlines.

6.4 As there were 79 votes for the proposal, and 8 votes against, the proposal was therefore agreed. The Speaker noted the SDLP’s opposition to the proposal.

7 Speedy Voting

7.1 Members noted receipt of a paper on the process for Speedy Voting in the Chamber.

7.2 Following discussion, the Committee agreed that were content to proceed to speedy voting under the conditions set out in Standing Order 27(1A) until the end of the Assembly mandate.

8 Any Other Business

8.1 The Speaker advised that he had received correspondence from the Minister for the Economy seeking to switch her scheduled Question Time slot on Monday 29 September with that of the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on Monday 22 September.

8.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate the requested switch.

8.3 The Speaker reminded Members of his recent correspondence in relation to legislative scrutiny and the scheduling of Members Bills, and advised that the pressures on time management before the end of the mandate were such that even if a Member completes a consultation and gets their bill drafted, this will not mean that the Bill will be taken in the current mandate.

8.4 The Speaker informed Members that over the summer his office had been engaging in discussions with the Chief Electoral Officer on planning for the 2027 Assembly elections, particularly in relation to the plans for Assembly sittings when the date for dissolution under the current legislation would fall within the normal Easter recess period. Members agreed they would take a formal decision on a paper at the next meeting.

8.5 There was no other business.

9 Date and Time of Next Meeting

9.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 9 September.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.34 pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson