Committee for The Executive Office

Minutes of proceedings Tuesday 16 June 2026

Committee for The Executive Office minutes of proceedings 16 June 2026.pdf (177.43 kb)

Meeting Location: Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings

Present:                           

Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA (Chairperson) 

Mr Stewart Dickson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Phillip Brett MLA

Ms Sinéad McLauglin MLA  

Ms Claire Sugden MLA                                     

Online:                            

Ms Áine Murphy MLA

Apologies:                      

Ms Deborah Erskine MLA

In Attendance:                

Mr 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)

The meeting commenced at 10:03am in public session.


1.    Apologies

As above.


2.    Declarations of Interest

None.


3.    Further Consideration Stage: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill

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

The meeting moved into closed session at 10:04am.

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.09am:

  • Martin Carey, Truth Recovery Programme Director, TEO
  • Elaine Allen, Head of Redress Team, TEO
  • Francesca Murray, Head of Inquiry Team, TEO

The Committee discussed the Further Consideration Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

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

Claire Sugden joined the meeting at 10.24pm.

Proceedings continued in public session at 10.26pm with the following Members present: Paula Bradshaw, Stewart Dickson, Phillip Brett, Sinéad McLauglin, Claire Sugden and Áine Murphy online.

The Chairperson updated Members that while in closed session the Committee divided in relation to a proposed Committee amendment to Clause 32(6)(b).

The Chairperson proposed that the Committee should amend Clause 32(6)(b), changing the posthumous date from 29th September 2011 to 28th April 1953. The Chairperson then put the question to the Committee that the proposal be agreed.

The Committee divided: Ayes 5; Noes 1; Abstain 0

Ayes: Paula Bradshaw; Stewart Dickson; Sinéad McLaughlin; Claire Sugden and Áine Murphy.

Noes: Mr Phillip Brett

The proposal was carried.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the following amendment to Clause 32(6)(b) of the Bill:

Clause 32(6)(b) Page 19, line 14, leave out ‘29th September 2011’ and insert ‘28th April 1953’

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 Further Consideration Stage debate will take place on Monday 22 June 2026.


4.    Any Other Business

There was no other business.


5.    Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 2.00pm in Room 30, Parliament Buildings. 

The meeting was adjourned at 10.27am.

Paula Bradshaw MLA

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

Tuesday 16 June 2026