Committee for The Executive Office

Minutes of proceedings 12 May 2026

Committee for The Executive Office minutes of proceedings 12 May 2026.pdf (196.93 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 30, Parliament Buildings

Present:                           

Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA (Chairperson) 

Mr Stewart Dickson MLA (Deputy Chairperson) 

Mr Phillip Brett MLA

Mrs Pam Cameron MLA

Mr Timothy Gaston MLA

Ms Sinéad McLauglin MLA  

Ms Áine Murphy MLA from 10:35am

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA  

Online:                            

Ms Áine Murphy MLA until 10:35am

Apologies:                     

None

In Attendance:                

Peter McCallion (Assembly Clerk)

Feargal McGuinness (Assembly Clerk)

Ms Aoife Keating-Fitzpatrick (Snr Assist Assembly Clerk)

Ms Sarah-Anne McKinley (Assistant Assembly Clerk)

Mr Neil Porter (Clerical Supervisor)

Ms Andrienne Magee (Clerical Officer)

Ms Liz Marsh (Bill Office Clerk) – item 4 only

The meeting commenced at 10:01am in public session.


1.    Apologies

There were no apologies.


2.    Declarations of Interest

Áine Murphy declared a standing interest in relation to Item 4 and the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill having a family member who was born in a Mother and Baby institution.

Pam Cameron declared a standing interest in relation to Item 4 and the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill having worked previously in TEO as a junior Minister from February 2024 until September 2025.

Pam Cameron declared a standing interest in relation to Item 4 and the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill as it stands, she has a family member who may be entitled to a redress payment as part of the second part of this legislation.

Carál Ní Chuilín declared a standing interest in relation to Item 4 and the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill having served as Communities Minister in 2020.


3.    Draft Minutes

The Chairperson advised Members that the draft minutes from the 6 May 2026 meeting will be considered at the meeting on Wednesday 13 May 2026.


4.    Committee Amendments: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill

Agreed: The Committee agreed to continue proceedings in closed session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed for the Bill Clerk to join the session.

The meeting moved into closed session at 10:02am.

Áine Murphy joined the meeting online at 10.02am.

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.15am:

  • Martin Carey, Truth Recovery Programme Director, TEO
  • Stephanie Higbee, Truth Recovery Programme, TEO

The Committee discussed Committee amendments in relation to the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to move into public session.

Phillip Brett left the meeting at 10.27am.

Timothy Gaston left the meeting at 10.28am.

Áine Murphy joined the meeting in person at 10.35am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to withdraw the following amendments to the Bill and to adopt replacement amendments from the Executive Office:

  • Clause 11, Page 7, Line 13
  • New Clause 12A
  • Clause 31, Page 17, Line 23
  • New Clause 38A
  • Clause 40, Page 22, Line 34

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to withdraw its amendment at Clause 27, Page 15, Line 36.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to inform them of the above.

Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Bill Office to inform it of the above.

The Chairperson advised Members that the Consideration Stage debate is expected to take place on Tuesday 19 May 2026.

Pam Cameron indicated that in respect of Clause 31 and the posthumous date, her  party’s view on this matter had not changed and the DUP would not support the Committee’s amendment.


5.    Any Other Business

There was no other business.


6.    Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 2.00pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 10.38am.

Paula Bradshaw MLA

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

Wednesday 20 May 2026