Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.04pm

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

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
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary Secretary to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Ms S Garner Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

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

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 21 October 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 10 November

Monday 10 November

4.1 The Committee noted that a competent motion under section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act to exclude the Minister of Education from holding office for a period of 12 months had been signed by at least 30 members.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule the motion on this date under Assembly business.

4.3 The Committee noted the convention that statutory motions, which have secured 30 signatures, have been prioritised for debate and scheduled as the first item of business at the next available opportunity. The Opposition objected to this approach and preferred the motion to be scheduled after Opposition business.

4.4 The Speaker sought the views of all the Members present. DUP and Sinn Féin representatives indicated support for scheduling the motion before Opposition business, the UUP representative had no preference, and the Alliance representative was content to adhere to the request of the Opposition. Therefore, the Committee agreed to schedule the motion as the first item of business.

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule 1 hours 30 minutes for the debate, with 10 minutes to move and 10 minutes to wind, and 5 minutes for all other speakers.

4.6 The Committee agreed that the Minister of Education, in line with convention, could choose to speak after the proposer of the motion or immediately before the wind, and that he would have 15 minutes.

4.7 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Order 10(2) to 10(4) to allow the sitting to go beyond 7pm if required.

4.8 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Executive Office and Minister of Justice.

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

4.10 Members noted that the Opposition had submitted the following motions for debate:

• Holding Ministers to Account;
• Establishing an Independent Environment Protection Agency; and
• Winter Preparedness Plan.

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

4.12 The junior Minister confirmed the relevant Ministers were available.

4.13 The Committee noted that Members’ Statements had previously been agreed.

4.14 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 10 November.

Tuesday 11 November

4.15 The Speaker reminded Members of their previous agreement that business would commence at 11.30am to facilitate events to mark Armistice Day.

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

4.17 Members noted that the previously scheduled debate on Farm Sustainability Payment Scheme regulations had been moved to the following week.

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

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

4.20 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 11 November.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 17 November

Monday 17 November

5.1 Members noted that Question Time would be for the Minister for Communities and Minister for the Economy.

5.2 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

5.3 The junior Minister advised that no other Executive 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 the following Private Members’ motions:

• Challenging the Harm Posed by the Windsor Framework (DUP); and
• Impact of the Ongoing Increase in the Cost of Living (SF).

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 17 November.

Tuesday 18 November

5.7 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Education.

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for:

• Further Consideration Stage of the Deaths, Still-births and Baby Loss Bill;
• The Farm Sustainability Payment (Eligibility etc) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025; and
• A Legislative Consent motion on the Pensions Schemes Bill.

5.9 The junior Minister advised that a statement from the Minister for Infrastructure was expected.

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule two Private Members’ motions, the first as follows:

• Review of Northern Ireland’s Fireworks Legislation (UUP).

5.12 The Committee agreed that the DUP could provide details of their motion after the meeting.

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

• The Urgency of Delivering the Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health.

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 18 November.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Committee agreed to a request from the Minister for the Economy to switch her scheduled Question Time on Tuesday 9 December with that of the Minister for Infrastructure on Monday 1 December.

6.2 There was a discussion around the benefits of a consistent approach to how items of business are chaired in the Chamber.

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 11 November.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.25pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson