Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.06pm

Present:

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

Observers:

Ms A Reilly Junior Minister
Ms C Kerr Executive Office

In attendance:

Ms C McKay Clerk of Business
Mr P Gill Clerk Assistant
Dr G McGrath Director of Parliamentary Services
Mr A Leitch 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, Nuala McAllister and Philip McGuigan.

1.2 Sian Mulholland attended as a substitute for Nuala McAllister.

1.3 The Speaker welcomed Diana Armstrong and Sian Mulholland to the meeting.
 

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 27 January 2026 were agreed.
 

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.
 

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 9 February

Monday 9 February

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

4.2 Members noted that the Legislative Consent Motion on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, which had been provisionally scheduled at the last meeting, had been removed.

4.3 Members noted that the Minister for the Economy would make a statement on a North South Ministerial Council meeting in Trade and Business sectoral format on this date.

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

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for a Prayer of Annulment motion from the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs relating to the Shellfish Gathering (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 9 February.

Tuesday 10 February

4.8 Members noted their prior agreement that opposition business would be given priority on this date.

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

4.10 Members noted that no Executive business had been scheduled.

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

4.12 The Committee agreed to a request from the Opposition to switch their previously selected motion on non-domestic rates revaluation, following the Minister’s decision to stop the revaluation process.

4.13 The Opposition selected a motion on Delivery of a 24/7 thrombectomy service.

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

4.15 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 10 February.
 

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 16 February

Monday 16 February

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a single debate for the following two motions from the Minister of Finance:

• Supply Resolution: 2025/26 Spring Supplementary Estimates
• Supply Resolution for 2026/27 Vote on Account

5.3 The Committee agreed to allocate four and a half hours for the debate, with one hour for the Minister to move and wind at his discretion, ten minutes for the Opposition spokesperson and for a member representing the Committee for Finance (if a different Member), and seven minutes for all other speakers.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026.

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bill Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

5.6 The junior Minister advised that the Minister of Finance may seek to make a statement on this date.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed that insufficient time was available for Private Members’ motions.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 16 February.
 

Tuesday 17 February

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) 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:

• Tackling the Rise in Dangerous Potholes on our Roads (DUP)
• Accessing Mental Health Data (SF)

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for the UUP:

• Flooding Along the Six Mile River

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 17 February.
 

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 on Tuesday 10 February in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.12pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson