Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm


Present:

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

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 H Smyth 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 Colin McGrath, Nuala McAllister and David Brooks.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 21 April 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for 5 May

4.1 Members noted that due to the May Day bank holiday only one sitting would take place on this week.

Tuesday 5 May

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a public petition for Nick Mathison entitled ‘Install Street Lighting at Drumaness Bus Stop’.

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule a committee membership motion for the DUP.

4.4 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Health.

4.5 Members noted that the Minister of Justice had written to the Speaker to advise that she would make her previously deferred statement on the Katie Simpson Review on this date.

4.6 Members noted that all other business remained as scheduled on the Provisional Order Paper.

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

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 5 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 11 May

Monday 11 May

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

5.2 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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 agreed to schedule a motion for the Committee for Finance on its report on the Minister of Finance’s 2026-29/30 Draft Budget.

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule 2 hours for the debate, with 15 minutes for move and wind and 5 minutes for all other speakers.

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motion for DUP:

• Delivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan

5.8 The junior Minister advised that the relevant Ministers were available to respond.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 11 May.

Tuesday 12 May

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Final Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill.

5.12 The junior Minister advised that no other Executive 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:
• Delivering Fit-for-Purpose Autism Services (ALL)
• Strengthening Homecare Provision (SF)

5.14 The Committee agreed to reschedule the previously selected adjournment debate for the SDLP on the Development of St. Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick.

5.15 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 12 May.

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 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 5 May in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.05pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson