Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began at 1.01pm

Present:

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

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
Mr J McMillen Head of Legal Services
Mr R Ramsey Adviser to Speaker
Ms E Lynn Diary and Correspondence Secretary to the Speaker
Ms L Whinnery Assistant Private Secretary to the Speaker
Mr M O'Hare Assistant Clerk
Mr K Marks Clerical Officer

1 Apologies

1.1 Apologies were received from David Brooks and Nuala McAllister.

 
2 Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the meeting on 22 September 2026 were agreed.

3 Matters Arising

3.1 The Speaker noted that the Business Committee has an important role to provide Members an opportunity to discuss and agree the planning of Assembly business. The Speaker reminded Members that for that reason, the Business Committee holds closed meetings and therefore Members are expected to observe conventions around not publicly disclosing discussions at the Business Committee.

4 Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 5 October

Monday 5 October

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

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

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

4.4 Members noted that all other business remained as scheduled at the last meeting, and that wording of the UUP motion on Banning the Use of Aversive Training Tools for Domestic Animals had been amended.

4.5 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Monday 5 October.

Tuesday 6 October

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

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

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

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

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

4.11 The Committee agreed the Order Paper for Tuesday 6 October.

5 Provisional Order Papers and Indicative Timings for week commencing 12 October

Monday 12 October

5.1 Members noted that Question Time was scheduled for the Minister of Finance and Minister of Health.

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

• Consideration Stage of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill.

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

5.4 The Committee agreed to schedule a Public Petition for Colin McGrath entitled ‘St Malachy's Primary School, Kilclief - Save our School’.

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

5.6 The Committee agreed to schedule untimed debates for the following items of Private Members Business;

• Further Consideration Stage of the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill; and
• Further Consideration Stage of the Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill.

5.7 The Committee agreed to consider whether or not to schedule other Private Members’ Business at next week’s meeting when the position on amendments to the scheduled legislation might be clearer.

5.8 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Monday 12 October.

Tuesday 13 October

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

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

5.11 Members noted that no Executive Business had been scheduled.

5.12 The junior Minister advised that no Executive business was expected at that time.
5.13 The Committee agreed to schedule Members’ Statements at the beginning of the sitting.

5.14 The Opposition representative selected the following motions:

• Twenty Years on from the St Andrews Agreement (1 hour 30 minutes debate); and
• Racial Equality Legislation (1 hour debate).

5.15 Mr Colin McGrath advised that he would submit a further motion by the end of the day, as the motion the Opposition had intended to schedule was similar to one already scheduled for debate on 6 October.

5.16 The Committee agreed to reschedule the following adjournment debate for Sinn Féin:

• Continuous Delay of Promised New Build at Oakridge Social Education Centre, Dungannon.

5.17 The Committee agreed the Provisional Order Paper for Tuesday 13 October.

6 Any Other Business

6.1 The Speaker noted the impact on Members, particularly those who live furthest away from Parliament Buildings, of the frequency of recent late sittings.

7 Date and Time of Next Meeting

7.1 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 1.08pm

The Speaker