Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.03pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr T Gaston
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan

Observers:

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 M Corrigan Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary 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 and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 17 February 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 2 March

Monday 2 March

4.1 The Committee agreed to schedule Committee membership motions for Sinn Féin and DUP.

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

4.3 The Executive Office representative advised that the Minister for the Economy may seek to make a statement on this date.

4.4 Members noted that the text of the motion from the Audit Committee, for which they had allocated time last week, had been finalised and included on the draft Order Paper.

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

4.6 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 2 March.

Tuesday 3 March

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

4.8 Members noted that First Stage of the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill had been scheduled and would be included on Indicative Timings when the Speaker was satisfied that it is within the legislative competence of the Assembly.

4.9 The Executive Office representative advised that no other business was expected.

4.10 Following a request from the Women’s Caucus, the Committee agreed to allocate 10 minutes to move the motion on International Women’s Day 2026, 5 minutes to wind and 4 minutes for all other speakers.

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

4.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 3 March.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 9 March

Monday 9 March

5.1 The Committee agreed that Opposition business would be given priority on this date.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Matthew O’Toole entitled ‘Build the Knockbreda Road Crossing’.

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

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

5.5 The Opposition representative selected the following motions:

• Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister;
• SEN Reform and Classroom Assistant Provision; and
• The All-island Economy.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule 90-minute debates for the first and third motions, and one hour for the second motion, with corresponding speaking times.

5.7 The Executive Office representative advised that the Minister for the Economy and Minister of Education would not be available on this date.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 9 March.

Tuesday 10 March

5.9 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for Communities and the Assembly Commission.

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items of business :
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026;
• Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026;
• Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026;
• Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026; and
• Final Stage of the Budget Bill.

5.11 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

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

5.13 Following a request, the Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion and the following motion was selected:

• Blocking of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency (ALL)

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

• The Reopening of Slieve Gullion Cairn

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 10 March.

6 Draft Question Time Rota April – Summer 2026

6.1 The Committee agreed the draft Question Time rota covering the period April until Summer 2026.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 As Tuesday 17 March is the St Patrick’s Day public holiday, the Committee agreed to hold its meeting immediately following the adjournment on Monday 16 March, or earlier in the day if business runs late.

7.2 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 3 March in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.11pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson