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
Ms S Ennis
Mr T Gaston
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath

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 M Corrigan Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary and Correspondence Secretary to Speaker
Mr M O’Hare Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

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

2 Minutes of previous meeting

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

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 13 April

Monday 13 April

4.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister for Infrastructure.

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

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

4.4 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 13 April.

Tuesday 14 April

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

4.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a 30-minute debate for the Local Government Auditor’s Draft Code of Audit Practice 2026, with 5 minutes for all speakers.

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

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

4.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 14 April.

4.10 Members were advised of the deadlines for submission of amendments to motions scheduled for week commencing 13 April.

Mr Timothy Gaston joined the meeting at 1.04pm.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing Monday 20 April

Monday 20 April

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debates for the following items:

• Second Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill

• Further Consideration Stage of the Sign Language Bill

• Further Consideration Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill

• Consideration Stage of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill

• Final Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill

• The Sheep Carcase Classification and Price Reporting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

5.3 The Executive Office representative 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 agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for UUP:

• Clean Biomethane for Northern Irelands Energy, Food and Environmental Security

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion in the name of the Business Committee to suspend Standing Orders 10 (2) to 10(4), to enable business to continue beyond 7pm.

5.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 20 April.

Tuesday 21 April

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

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

5.10 Members noted their previous agreement that opposition business would be given priority on this date, and that the deadline for submission of opposition motions to the Business Office would be 12pm on Monday 13 April.

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

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

• Multi-Disciplinary Teams in GP practices in North Belfast

5.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 21 April.

6 Recess Dates 2026 - 2027

6.1 The Committee considered a paper on recess dates in the 2026-27 session which included two options based on the traditional arrangements for dates from previous years. This would see the Assembly returning in early January, enabling the Business Committee to meet in the first week after recess to agree the business for the first plenary sitting in the following week.

6.2 There was discussion regarding whether alternative options should be considered in relation to the Christmas recess period in the context of the Assembly being in the last months of the mandate at that point. While Members expressed a range of views, there was no clear alternative proposal. Some Members advised they would wish to engage with their parties further on the matter.

6.3 The Speaker noted that of the two options, Option 1 seemed to be preferred and that arrangements would therefore work on that basis while noting that Members could revisit the recess dates if required.

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 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 14 April in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.16pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson