Committee for The Executive Office
Minutes of Proceedings - 26 November 2025
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Ms Paula Bradshaw MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Stewart Dickson MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Phillip Brett MLA
Mr Timothy Gaston MLA
Ms Áine Murphy MLA
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín MLA
Ms Pam Cameron MLA
Online:
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA
Apologies:
Ms Claire Sugden MLA
In Attendance:
Mr Nick Mitford (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 2.02pm in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declarations of Interest
Áine Murphy declared a standing interest as having a family member who was born in a Mother and Baby institution in relation to the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.
Pam Cameron declared a standing interest as having worked previously in TEO as a junior Minister from February 2024 until September 2025.
Pam Cameron declared a standing interest on 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 the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill serving as Communities Minister in 2020.
Timothy Gaston raised an issue regarding declarations of interest and the procedural integrity of the Committee in relation to any potential interest at today’s meeting for Carál Ní Chuilín and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly.
Timothy Gaston also raised an issue regarding declarations of interest and the procedural integrity of the Committee in relation to the meeting of the 23 October 2024 and any potential declarations of interest that should have been declared at that meeting by Members.
Stewart Dickson declared an interest as a Member of the Standards and Privileges Committee.
3. Chairperson’s Business
3.1 Community Relations Council
The Chairperson advised Members she will be attending the ‘Making a Difference 2025’ Conference organised by the Community Relations Council on Tuesday 2 December at Black Mountain Shared Space in Belfast.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that any Member who wishes to attend can do so by responding to the email contained within the correspondence.
4. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 19November 2025.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 PSNI Geographical spread and the Committee’s Call for Evidence
The Chairperson reminded Members that at last week’s meeting the Committee agreedto look at the geographical spread of countries where reports were received as part of the PSNI’s investigation into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses, 1922 – 1990 compared to the Committee’s Call for Evidence publications.
The Chairperson informed Members that the only two countries where three reports were received regarding the PSNI investigation, compared to those where the Committee’s Call for Evidence was not publicised, are Greece and Spain.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note the item and agreed for the Committeeteam to liaise with the Assembly’s Communications team to explore whether any publicity regarding the Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhousesand the Redress Scheme Billcan be arranged in these two additional countries.
5.2 Rosetta Trust – Wording of HIA Memorial
The Chairperson reminded Members that at last week’s meeting the Committee agreed to write to the Department in relation to the final wording of the HIA Memorial following a conversation between the Chairperson and the Rosetta on the matter. A copy of the email following this conversation was included in the meeting pack.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this item.
5.3 Support Services for Survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses.
The Chairperson reminded Members that at last week’s meeting the Committee agreed for Committee staff to contact WAVE Trauma Centre to seek clarification on whether there will be any changes to the support services provided as a result of the Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses Inquiry and the Redress Scheme Bill.
The Victim and Survivor Service (VSS) have confirmed that, in the interim they will continue applying the broad parameters established in 2022 and will reassure all clients that services remain available at this time
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this item.
5.4 The Equality Commission
The Chairperson advised Members during discussions last week, a suggestion was made that the Committee ask the Equality Commission to include its view on the recent Supreme Court ruling over religious education in schools in Northern Ireland when it briefs the Committee early next year.
The Chairperson advised Members that it might be prudent for the Committee to receive its own legal advice on this matter, to assist in its Inquiry.
Phillip Brett proposed that the Committee wait until the Minister for Education publishes guidance in relation to the matter before the Committee requests its own legal advice.
The Chair proposed that the Committee request legal advice on the ruling now. Carál Ní Chuilín seconded the proposal. The Chair put the question to Members that the Committee request legal advice on this matter now..
The Committee divided: Ayes 5; Noes 3; Abstain 0
Ayes: Ms Sinéad McLaughlin; Ms Carál Ní Chuilín; Ms Áine Murphy, Ms Paula Bradshaw, Mr Stewart Dickson.
Noes: Mr Timothy Gaston; Mr Phillip Brett; Ms Pam Cameron.
The proposal was carried.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request legal advice from Assembly Legal Services on the Supreme Court ruling over religious education in schools in Northern Ireland.
6. Consideration of End of Session Report
The Committee considered its draft End of Session Report for February 2024 - July 2025.
The Committee considered the Title Page, Contents Page, Remit, Powers and Membership Section as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Title page, Contents Page, Remit, Powers and Membership Section stand part of the Report
The Committee considered the Introduction and Key Activities Section as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Introduction and Key Activities Section stand part of the Report.
The Committee considered the Likely Priorities for the next session and Expenditure section as drafted.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Likely Priorities for the next session and Expenditure section stand part of the Report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee for the Executive Office End of Session Report 2024-25 be the first Report of the Committee.
7. Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: Junior Ministers – Oral Briefing
Agreed: The Committee agreed for Hansard to record the evidence session.
The witnesses joined the meeting at 2.21pm.
Members received an oral briefing from:
- Aisling Reilly, Junior Minister, TEO
- Joanne Bunting, Junior Minister, TEO
- Martin Carey, Truth Recovery Programme Director, TEO
- Elaine Allen, Head of Redress Board, TEO
The witnesses provided an update on the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.
The oral briefing session was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for their attendance.
Carál Ní Chuilín left the meeting at 2.58pm and returned at 2.59pm.
Áine Murphy left the meeting at 3.35pm and returned at 3.39pm.
The witnesses left the meeting at 3.52pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department and request follow up information they agreed to provide in the meeting on the following areas:
- Officials to contact the individual regarding any institutions in operation post-1995 in the Republic of Ireland.
- For the Committee to have sight of the secondary legislation that will follow before the Bill receives Royal Assent.
- For the Committee to have sight of the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning access to records with the Irish Government.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request confirmation on whether Junior Minister Aisling Reilly received an invitation to an event at Belfast City Hall hosted by Irish Glór na Móna in her capacity as Junior Minister.
Agreed: The Committee also agreed to write to the Department to ask TEO to provide; a copy of the invitation; any associated briefing pack, including the list of attendees; and details of arrangements regarding four free tickets, including who received them from the Junior Minister.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to take a short comfort break and suspend the meeting.
The meeting was suspended at 4.05pm.
The meeting resumed at 4.16pm in closed session.
8. Deliberation: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill
Agreed: The Committee agreed for the Bill Clerk to join the meeting for this session.
The Committee considered clauses 18 to 29 in relation to the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to move into open session for the next item of business.
The meeting moved to open session at 5.22pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to seek clarification on a number of queries relating to clauses 18 to 29 of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) Redress Scheme Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to instruct the Bill Clerk to draft amendments as discussed to clauses 1-6, 9-11, 17, 19-21 and 26-27.
9. Correspondence
i. The Committee noted the summary of Committee correspondence.
ii. The Committee considered correspondence from the Civic Initiative requesting an opportunity to provide evidence to the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this item of correspondence and for the Clerk to arrange an informal meeting with the Chair and deputy Chair in the first instance.
iii. The Committee considered a response from two individuals to the Committee’s correspondence on 14 November requesting information on the redevelopment of the Marionvale site.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note these items of correspondence and to forward the correspondence to the Department and to Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to follow up with the Council regarding the correspondence issued on 31 October concerning briefings and surveys of the site.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that this will be pursued in the first instance before arranging an oral briefing on the matter.
iv. The Committee considered correspondence from Amnesty International regarding clerical child abuse report recommendations.
v. The Committee considered correspondence from an individual regarding a follow-up to recommendations on Clerical Sexual Abuse.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note these items of correspondence and agreed for the Committee team to arrange an oral evidence session with representatives of the cross denominational network of survivors and Amnesty International as part of the January – April 2026 session.
vi. The Committee noted a response from TEO to the Committee’s correspondence on 13 November regarding the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill. TEO have confirmed there will be no implications for TEO due to this Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to note this item of correspondence and agreed to write to the Committee for Infrastructure to indicate a nil return for the Committee.
vii. The Committee noted a Hansard Report for Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalane Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Bill Scheme: Retention and Disposal Scheme – Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board - 12 November 2025.
viii. . The Committee noted a Hansard Report for the Race and Ethnicity Action Plan: PSNI - 12 November 2025.
ix. The Committee noted a Hansard Report for Race Relations, Draft Refugee Integration Strategy and Delivery Framework: Executive Office update - 12 November 2025.
x. The Committee noted correspondence from TEO regarding a partnership Agreement between TEO and the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - 5 November 2025.
xi. The Committee noted a news release from TEO - Lay Magistrate Commissioner appointed to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission.
xii. The Committee noted correspondence from the Welsh Parliament in regarding the Cancellation of the Interparliamentary Forum. The Chairperson advised Member’s at last week's meeting that this had been cancelled.
xiii. The Committee noted a response from TEO to the Committee’s correspondence on 31 October in relation to the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and domestic abuse in family courts.
xiv. The Committee noted correspondence from Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse which includes a copy of briefing paper originally planned for the oral evidence session that was due to take place on 19 November. This rescheduled briefing will now take place on 4 March 2026.
xv. The Committee noted a response from TEO to the Committee’s correspondence on 12 September regarding information on the £20 million allocation for Lough Neagh.
xvi. The Committee noted an invitation from the Katie Trust to an event taking place on Wednesday 3 December from 9:00am – 1:00pm, in the Long Gallery.
xvii. The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance providing further clarification to a number of points regarding the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill.
xviii. The Committee noted a Written Ministerial Statement from the First Minister and deputy First Minister following the publication of the Covid-19 Module 2 Report.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered the draft forward work programme.
The Committee noted an update from the Assistant Clerk in relation to the rescheduling of the PfG Delivery Unit oral briefing which will now take place at the meeting on Wednesday 11 February 2026. An oral briefing on the Budget and December Monitoring will also take place at the meeting on Wednesday 4 February 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to proceed with the remaining briefings as set out in the forward work programme.
11. Any Other Business
Timothy Gaston raised a query regarding the role and remit of the Committee in relation to the work of the Irish Language Commissioner in Northern Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee agreed for the Clerk to liaise with the Department to ascertain the role of the Commissioner in relation to the Committee’s scrutiny remit.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 3 December at 2.00pm in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 5.35pm.
Paula Bradshaw MLA
Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office
Wednesday 26 November 2025
