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 P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

Ms J Bunting 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 J Byers Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Mr P Stitt Private 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 Philip McGuigan and Nuala McAllister.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 28 April 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 11 May

Monday 11 May

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

4.2 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

4.4 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the Committee for the Economy, to extend the Committee Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill and the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill.

4.5 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Committee for Finance to extend the Committee Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

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 11 May.

Tuesday 12 May

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

4.9 Members noted that no additional Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

4.11 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the Committee for Education to extend the Committee Stage of the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill and the Irish-Medium (Workforce Plan) Bill.

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

4.13 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 12 May.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 18 May

Monday 18 May

5.1 The Committee agreed that opposition business would be given priority on this date.

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

5.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

5.4 The junior Minister advised that no other Executive business was expected, and that the Minister of Education would be unavailable on week commencing 18 May.

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

5.6 The Opposition representative selected the following motions:

• Funding for the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project;
• Introducing an integrated 111 service for Northern Ireland; and
• Post-19 SEN Support.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 18 May.

Tuesday 19 May

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

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Consideration Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

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

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion from the Committee for Communities on its Report on Engagement with Local Government on the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy.

5.13 The Committee agreed to allow 90 minutes for the debate with corresponding speaking times.

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

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

• Road Conditions in Mid Ulster

5.16 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 19 May.

6 Draft Question Time Rota September - December

6.1 The Committee agreed the calendar of Question Time slots from the end of the summer recess to Christmas recess.

7 Correspondence

7.1 Members noted a response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the Committee’s request for an update on the Executive’s Legislative Programme.

8 Any Other Business

8.1 There was no other business.

9 Date and Time of Next Meeting

9.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 12 May in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.09pm.

The Speaker
Chairperson