Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

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

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 C Byers Legal Services
Mrs L Hogg Clerk/Chief Executive
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Claire Sugden, John Stewart and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 23 September 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 6 October

4.1 The Speaker informed Members that a motion on the Legislative Programme had not been tabled by the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and invited the junior Minister to provide an update to the Committee.

4.2 The junior Minister advised that the Legislative Programme was being considered by the Executive on Thursday and, if agreed, a motion would be tabled soon afterwards.

Monday 6 October

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

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

4.5 Members noted that the Minister for the Economy was seeking to schedule First Stage of the RHI (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill, and that it would be included within the Indicative Timings once legislative competence checks had been completed.

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

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

4.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 6 October.

Tuesday 7 October

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

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

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

4.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 7 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 13 October

Monday 13 October

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister of Justice and Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Final Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

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

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

5.5 The Committee agreed to schedule a Private Members’ motion for the DUP on tackling unpaid rates, and that the detail of the motion could be provided after the meeting.

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 13 October.

Tuesday 14 October

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

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

5.9 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

5.10 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected.

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

5.12 The Opposition representative advised that the first Opposition motion would be related to delivery and would call on the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and that the final motion text would be provided after the meeting.

5.13 The Opposition representative also selected the following motions:

• Tackling Child Poverty; and
• Closure of Derry Crisis Intervention Centre.

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

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:
• Post-19 Adult Respite Provision at Woodlawn House, Dungannon

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 14 October.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker advised that he had received correspondence from the Minister of Finance seeking to switch his Question Time slot scheduled for Monday 24 November with that of the Minister of Health on Tuesday 25 November.

6.2 The Committee agreed to facilitate the Minister’s request.

6.3 The Speaker advised that he would not be available for Business Committee meetings for the forthcoming two weeks, and asked that Trevor Clarke and Sinéad Ennis chair the meetings in his absence.

6.4 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 6 October.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.08pm.

Acting Chairperson