Committee on Procedures
Minutes of proceedings 4 June 2025
Committee on Procedures, minutes of proceedings 4 June 2025.pdf (152.35 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Kellie Armstrong (Chairperson)
Trevor Clarke MLA
Maolíosa McHugh MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Robbie Butler MLA
Danny Donnelly MLA
Aoife Finnegan MLA
Cara Hunter MLA
William Irwin MLA
Apologies:
Órlaithí Flynn MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
In Attendance:
Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk
Christine Darrah, Assembly Clerk
Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk
Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer
The meeting started at 10.01 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025.
3. Matters Arising
None.
4. Northern Ireland Act 1998 Section 42 – Petitions of Concern - Briefing
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session.
The meeting moved into closed session at 10.04 a.m.
Aoife Finnegan joined the meeting at 10.06 a.m.
Paul Gill, Clerk Assistant, briefed the Committee on the Speaker’s response to the issues raised by the Committee in relation to Section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Petitions of Concern.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.17 a.m.
Robbie Butler left the meeting at 10.21 a.m.
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Gill and he left the meeting.
The Committee considered a range of issues relating to provision in Standing Orders for the Northern Ireland Act 1998 Section 42 Petitions of Concern.
5. Annual Debate on the Executive’s Legislative Timetable – Further Consideration of draft Standing Order
The Committee considered a proposal to defer consideration of this issue to enable the views of the Parties in the Assembly to be sought on the draft Standing Order.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the draft Standing Order to the meeting on 18 June 2025.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Party Whips seeking views on the draft Standing Order to provide for an Annual Debate on the Executive’s Legislative Programme in advance of 18 June 2025.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to advise the First Minister and deputy First Minister that consideration of the draft Standing Order had been deferred to 18 June and inviting a response before that meeting.
6. Inquiry into Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy – Bereavement – Committee Consideration
The Committee discussed a range of issues relating to the provision of proxy voting for bereavement, a number of principles that may be included in the Standing Order and a range of practical / administrative issues.
Cara Hunter left the meeting at 11.37 a.m.
The meeting moved into public session at 12.07 p.m.
7. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme that included the proposed dates of meetings from September to December 2025.
Agreed: The Committeeagreed the updated Forward Work Programme.
8. Correspondence
None.
9. Chairperson’s Business
None.
10. Any Other Business
The Chairperson informed the Committee that a Member had raised the issue of speaking time in Plenary and indicated his intention to write to the Committee on this issue.
11. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 12.09 p.m.
Órlaithí Flynn MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
18 June 2025
