Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.05pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mrs S Ennis
Mr C McGrath
Ms Claire 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
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Mr P Stitt Private Secretary to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary and Correspondence Secretary to the Speaker
Mr M O'Hare Assistant Clerk
Ms S Garner Clerical Supervisor

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from Nuala McAllister and Patsy McGlone.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 23 June 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 There were no matters arising.

4 Scheduling Members’ Bills

4.1 Ms Bradshaw declared an interest as a Member with a Members’ Bill awaiting its Second Stage debate.

4.2 The Committee noted the advice paper on the Scheduling of Members’ Bills.

4.3 Following discussion, the Committee noted there were seven requests to schedule Members’ Bills and agreed to prioritise those Bills, noting that this general approach does not prevent it from subsequently prioritising the scheduling of Private Members’ Motions if it considers that there are particular reasons for doing so.

5 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 7 September

Monday 7 September

5.1 The Committee agreed to schedule committee membership motions for both the UUP and Sinn Féin.

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

5.3 Members noted the Minister of Education intends to make a statement on ‘Pre-School Admissions Consultation’.

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the following item:

• The draft Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Closure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Committee for Communities, to extend the Committee Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill.

5.7 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements at the beginning of the sitting, noting the Speaker’s discretion to continue the item beyond the conventional 30 minute period, if he deemed it necessary.

5.8 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for Second Stages of the following Private Members’ Bills;

• Display of Flags and Emblems Bill; and

• Tree Protection Bill.

5.9 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 7 September.

Tuesday 8 September

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

5.11 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items:

• Second Stage – Renewable Electricity Generation Bill

• Final Stage – Dilapidation Bill

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

5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to extend the Committee Stage of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill.

5.14 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements at the beginning of the sitting, again noting the Speaker’s discretion to continue the item beyond the conventional 30 minute period if required.

5.15 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Stewart Dickson entitled ‘Demand Survival Now’.

5.16 The Committee agreed to schedule an untimed debate for the Second Stage of the Regional Balance Bill.

5.17 The Committee discussed whether the adjournment debate on Road Conditions in Mid Ulster (DUP) remained outstanding, and the Speaker advised that it would be clarified after the meeting. The UUP also had a pick, and selected the following:

• Modernisation of A26 Frosses Road.

5.18 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 8 September.

 
6 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 14 September

Monday 14 September

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

6.2 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Education.

6.3 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

6.5 The Opposition representative selected the following motions:

• Agreement on a Budget;
• Building on the Success of the Fleadh; and
• Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

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

6.7 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 14 September.

Tuesday 15 September

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

6.9 The junior Minister advised that the one item listed from the Minister of Finance was being rescheduled to a future date.

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

6.11 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items:

• Second Stage – Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill;

• Second Stage – Housing (Amendment) Bill; and

• Consideration Stage – Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill.

6.12 The Committee agreed to schedule an adjournment debate and that this would be clarified after the meeting.

6.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 15 September.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 The Committee agreed the request from the Minister for Infrastructure to switch her scheduled Question Time slot on 16 November with that of the Minister for the Economy on 24 November.

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 8 September in Room 106, Parliament
Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.32pm

The Speaker
Chairperson