Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.04pm

Present:

The Speaker (Chairperson)
Ms D Armstrong
Ms P Bradshaw
Mr D Brooks
Mr T Clarke
Mrs S Ennis
Mr C McGrath
Mr P McGuigan
Ms C Sugden

Observers:

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 M Corrigan Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant Private Secretary to the 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 Nuala McAllister and Patsy McGlone.

2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 15 September 2026 were agreed.

3 Declarations of Interest

3.1 Ms Paula Bradshaw declared an interest as the sponsor of the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill.

4 Matters Arising

4.1 Members noted that the votes on the Consideration Stage of the Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill had not concluded on 21 September 2026 and, in line with Standing Order 10(3C), this business stands postponed until such times as the Business Committee determines. The Committee also noted that it was unlikely that all items on the Order Paper for Tuesday 22 September would be concluded by 10.30pm.

Ms Armstrong joined the meeting.

4.2 The Committee agreed to schedule the Consideration Stage of the Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill as the first item of Private Members’ Business on Monday 22 September.

4.3 The Committee discussed options to manage the items of business that were unlikely to conclude on Tuesday 22 September, noting it had been agreed last week that the sitting should adjourn no later than 10.30pm on the basis that any business not concluded would be rescheduled for the following week.

4.4 The Committee noted there had been a proposal from Ms Paula Bradshaw that the Assembly should instead meet on Wednesday 23 September until 7.30pm to continue any business not concluded by 10.30pm on Tuesday 22 September.

4.5 Following discussion, the Committee agreed to conclude the debate on the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill that day, and to start the Conversation Practices (Criminalisation) Bill that evening, if time allowed, and resume the debate on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 September. The Committee agreed to meet on Wednesday 30 September should it be required to continue the debate on the Conversation Practices (Criminalisation) Bill.

5 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 28 September

Monday 28 September

5.1 The Committee noted its previous agreement that the sitting should adjourn no later than 10.30pm, and agreed to manage this by moving a motion to extend the sitting under Standing Order 10(3A).

5.2 The Committee agreed to schedule a committee membership motion for Sinn Féin.
5.3 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

5.4 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

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

5.6 The Committee noted its earlier agreement to reschedule the following items:

• Consideration Stage – Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill; and
• Consideration of business not concluded on Tuesday 22 September 2026.

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

5.8 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 28 September.

Tuesday 29 September

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

5.10 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

5.11 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time.

5.12 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following item:

• Consideration of business not concluded on Monday 28 September 2026.

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

5.14 The Committee agreed that the sitting should adjourn no later than 10.30pm on the basis that any business not concluded would continue into Wednesday 30 September 2026.

5.15 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 29 September.

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

Monday 5 October

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

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

• The draft Tobacco Retailer (Fixed Penalty) (Amount) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.

6.3 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time

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

6.5 The Committee agreed to provisionally reschedule the following items of Private Members Business;

• UUP motion on Banning the Use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals; and
• SF motion on Geo-blocking of RTÉ.

6.6 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 5 October.

Tuesday 6 October

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

6.8 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

6.9 The Executive Office representative advised that no other Executive business was expected at that time

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

6.11 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Justin McNulty entitled ‘Bringing Life-Saving CAR-T Therapy Cancer Treatment to Northern Ireland’.

6.12 The Committee agreed to provisionally schedule time for two Private Members Motions, for the DUP and the Alliance, and that both parties would confirm their motions following the meeting.

6.13 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 6 October.

7 Any Other Business

7.1 The Committee agreed that Opposition business would be given priority on Tuesday 13 October 2026.

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 29 September in Room 106, Parliament
Buildings.

The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.28pm

The Speaker