Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.05pm

Present:

Mr R Butler
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke (Acting Chairperson)
Ms S Ennis
Miss N McAllister
Mr C McGrath
Mr J Stewart

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 R Ellis Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to the Speaker
Mr P Stitt PS to Speaker
Ms P Devlin Assistant Assembly Clerk
Mr M O'Hare Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from the Speaker, Paula Bradshaw, Patsy McGlone and Philip McGuigan.

1.2 Mr Clarke advised that he was chairing the meeting in place of the Speaker.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 30 September 2025 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 13 October

Monday 13 October

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

4.2 Members noted that the First Minister and deputy First Minister had tabled a motion on the Executive’s Legislation Programme, and agreed to allocate two hours for the debate with 10 minutes to move and wind and 5 minutes for all other speakers.

4.3 The Committee agreed to schedule a motion for the Committee for Infrastructure to extend the Committee Stage of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

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

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

Mr Robbie Butler joined the meeting at 13.06pm.

4.6 As business was expected to finish after 7pm, the Committee agreed to schedule a motion to suspend Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4).

4.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 13 October.

Tuesday 14 October

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

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

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 14 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 20 October

Monday 20 October

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

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for Second Stage of the RHI (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) 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 UUP, the detail of which would be confirmed after the meeting.

5.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 20 October.

Tuesday 21 October

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

5.8 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled at that time.

5.9 The junior Minister advised that no business was expected.

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule the following Private Members’ motions:

• Local Growth Fund (SF)
• Reducing the level of unpaid rates (DUP).

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule the following adjournment debate for Alliance:
• Improving Infrastructure in Castlereagh South.

5.13 The junior Minister confirmed that Ministers would be available to respond.

5.14 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 21 October.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 There was no other business.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 The Acting Chairperson advised that the next meeting would take place in Room 106 during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 14 October.

The Acting Chairperson brought the meeting to a close at 1.11pm.

Acting Chairperson