Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mrs S Ennis
Mr P McGlone
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 R Ellis Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant Private Secretary to Speaker
Mr F Geddis Clerk Assistant
Mr M O'Hare Assistant Clerk
Ms S Garner Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

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

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 16 June 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 29 June

Monday 29 June

4.1 Members agreed to schedule a motion to Suspend Standing Order 10(2) to 10(4) to allow the sitting to sit beyond 7pm.

4.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health and the Minister for Infrastructure.

4.3 Members noted the Minister of Finance intends to make two statements, as follows:

• Consultation on the Business Growth Accelerator and Vacant Rating Reform;
• NSMC in Special EU Programmes Sectoral format meeting.

4.4 The junior Minister advised of a possible statement from the Minister for Infrastructure on this date.

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

4.6 Members noted correspondence from the Minister of Justice regarding scheduling of the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill, and the response from the Speaker.

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 29 June.

Tuesday 30 June

4.8 Members noted that there was no lunchtime suspension scheduled for this date as the was no planned meeting of the Business Committee.

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

4.10 Members noted that the following additional item of Executive business had been scheduled on completion of legislative competence checks:

• First Stage of the Renewable Electricity Generation Bill

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

4.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Second Stage of the School Uniform (Trousers) Bill.

4.13 The Committee agreed to schedule a business motion, in its name, to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider the Committee Stage of the School Uniform (Trousers) Bill comprising two Members each from Sinn Féin and the DUP and one each from Alliance, UUP and SDLP, to report to the Assembly by 7 October 2026.

4.14 The Committee agreed that the votes on the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill would be scheduled as the first item of Executive Business.

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

4.16 The Committee noted that only the Speaker and one Deputy Speaker was available to chair proceedings on Tuesday.

4.17 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 30 June.

5 Opposition Days September 2026

5.1 The Committee agreed that Opposition business would be given priority on Monday 14 September 2026 and that it would consider options in September for other Opposition days when the position on Executive Business might be clearer.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Speaker advised that, unless he had to contact Members over recess, the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 1 September via Microsoft Teams.

 
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.08pm

The Speaker
Chairperson