Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr R Butler
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr T Gaston
Mr C McGrath

Observers:

Ms J Bunting Junior Minister

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Ms L Hogg Clerk / Chief Executive
Ms C 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

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, Patsy McGlone, Philip McGuigan and Nuala McAllister.

1.2 Members noted that Mr Gaston was attending as a substitute for Ms Sugden.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 13 January 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.
4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 26 January

Monday 26 January

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

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill.

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

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

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 26 January.

Tuesday 27 January

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

4.7 Members noted that the Minister of Health had written to the Speaker to notify of his intention to make a statement on an NSMC Health and Food Safety meeting on this date.

4.8 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Pension Schemes Bill.

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

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

4.11 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 27 January.

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

Monday 2 February

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a Legislative Consent Motion on the Crime and Policing Bill.

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 noted that the Committee on Standards and Privileges indicated that it may want up to an hour and a half of plenary time to be allowed on the Provisional Order Paper for a Committee motion, the detail of which would be agreed at its meeting the following day.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule time for the Standards and Privileges Committee motion, with details to be confirmed at a later date.

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

• Development of a Sports Museum (UUP)

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

Tuesday 3 February

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

5.10 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

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

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

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

• Ending Academic Selection (SF)
• Tackling Motor Insurance Costs for Young Drivers (DUP)

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

• The Impact of Storms on the A20 Portaferry Road

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 3 February.

6 Committee on Procedures Correspondence: Review of Sitting Days

6.1 Members considered a paper on correspondence it had received from the Committee on Procedures, in which it sought preliminary views on whether it should undertake an inquiry into Assembly Sitting Days.

6.2 Mr Butler declared an interest as a member of the Committee on Procedures.

6.3 Following discussion, the Committee agreed to respond to the Committee on Procedures advising that it is content that the Committee on Procedures consider the issue in the context of the responses it receives from the Speaker and political parties.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 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 27 January in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.09pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson