Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.02pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr T Clarke
Ms S Ennis
Mr P McGuigan
Mr P McGlone
Mr C McGrath
Ms C Sugden
Miss N McAllister

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
Ms C Byers Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant Private Secretary to Speaker
Mr M O’Hare Assistant Clerk
Ms S Garner Clerical Supervisor
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from David Brooks.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 2 June 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Procedural Issues Arising from a Change of Party Affiliation

4.1 The Speaker advised Members that on 1 June he had received notification from Doug Beattie that he was resigning from the UUP and would be sitting as an Independent Unionist, and that in accordance with Standing Order 3(12) this change of party affiliation came into effect on Monday 8 June.

4.2 Members noted a paper outlining aspects of Assembly business on which this change of party affiliation would have an impact.

4.3 Members agreed revised versions of the following documents:

• Speaking list template;
• Seating arrangement in the Chamber; and
• Rotas for Private Members’ motions and adjournment debates, taking account of previously agreed arrangements for the UUP’s motion and adjournment debate.

4.4 In accordance with Standing Orders 49(4) and 52(4), the Committee reviewed the allocation of seats on Standing and Statutory Committees, following the change in party affiliation, and agreed to proceed on the basis of the advice received.

Junior Minister Reilly and D McCreedy joined the meeting at 13.05pm.

5 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 15 June

Monday 15 June

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

5.2 Members noted that the Further Consideration Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill had been deferred to the following week.

5.3 Members noted that no additional Executive business had been scheduled.

5.4 The junior Minister advised that no additional Executive business was expected at that time.

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

5.6 Members agreed that the item ‘Consideration of business not concluded on Tuesday 9 June 2026’ would now be shown as Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (Day 4).

5.7 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 15 June.

Nuala McAllister joined the meeting.

Tuesday 16 June

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

5.9 Following discussion on the progress of the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill where various options were explored, the Committee agreed to reschedule Opposition Day to Monday 22 June and that all selected Opposition motions would move to that date.

5.10 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for:

• Consideration Stage of the Dilapidation Bill

• Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill

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

5.12 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 16 June.

6 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 22 June

Monday 22 June

6.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for The Executive Office and the Minister of Education.

6.2 The Committee agreed to schedule all Opposition Business previously scheduled for Tuesday 16 June.

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

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

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

6.6 The Committee agreed that no Private Members business would be scheduled.

6.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 22 June.

Tuesday 23 June

6.8 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Finance and the Assembly Commission.

6.9 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for:

• Second Stage of the Charities Amendment Bill

• Second Stage of the Harbours Bill

• The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (NI) Regulations 2026

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

6.11 The Committee agreed that no Private Members business would be scheduled.

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

6.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 23 June.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 There was no other business.

8 Date and Time of Next Meeting

8.1 The Speaker advised that the next meeting would take place during the lunchtime suspension on Tuesday 23 June in Room 106, Parliament Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.40pm

The Speaker
Chairperson