Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

Ms P Bradshaw
Mr R Butler
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis (Acting Chairperson)
Mr P McGlone
Mr J Stewart
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms J Bunting Junior Minister
Mr D McCreedy Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Mr A Leitch Legal Services
Mrs L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
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 the Speaker, Colin McGrath and Nuala McAllister.

1.2 Sinéad Ennis informed the Committee that she would be chairing the meeting in the Speaker’s absence.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 16 September 2025 were agreed.
 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 The Committee agreed a draft response to correspondence from the Assembly and Executive Review Committee on its review of Assembly Committee Engagement on Cross-cutting Executive Strategies, which had been considered by the Committee at its meeting on 3 June 2025.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 29 September

Monday 29 September

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

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

4.3 The Acting Chairperson welcomed junior Minister Bunting to her first Business Committee meeting since her appointment.

4.4 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected, and that the Minister for the Economy would not be available week commencing 29th September but arrangements would be made for an Executive colleague to respond to Assembly business on her behalf.

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 29 September.

Ms C Sugden joined the meeting at 1.05pm.

Tuesday 30 September

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

4.7 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the Committee for Finance to extend the Committee Stages of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill, and the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill.

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

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

4.10 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 30 September.
 

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 6 October

5.1 Members noted the timescale in Standing Order 18C for the First Minister and deputy First Minister to table a motion on the Executive’s Legislative Programme.

5.2 Members agreed to provisionally schedule Private Members’ Business for week commencing 6th October, and to reconsider selected business at next week’s meeting should a motion on the Executive Legislation Programme be tabled.

Monday 6 October

5.3 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Executive Office and Minister of Health.

5.4 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

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

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

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

• Addressing Regional Imbalance (SDLP)
• Failure to Transform the Criminal Justice System (DUP)

5.8 The junior Minister advised that Ministers would be available to respond.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 6 October.

Tuesday 7 October

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate to consider the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) Order 2025.

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

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

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

• Mother and Baby Unit (SF)
• Reducing Household Energy Costs (ALL)

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the SDLP:
• Supporting the apple-growing industry in Newry and Armagh

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 7 October.

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 in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 30 September.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.12pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson