Committee on Procedures

Minutes of proceedings 15 January 2025

Committee on Procedures minutes of proceedings 15 January 2025.pdf (146.79 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Sinéad Ennis MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Robbie Butler MLA

Danny Donnelly MLA

Órlaithí Flynn MLA

Cara Hunter MLA

William Irwin MLA

Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Apologies:

Trevor Clarke MLA

In Attendance:

Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk

Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk

Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer

The meeting started at 10.02 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

Robbie Butler joined the meeting at 10.04 a.m.

The meeting moved into closed session at 10.04 a.m.

4. Northern Ireland Act 1998 Section 42 – Petitions of Concern – Legal Advice

The Chairperson welcomed Ms Helen Smyth, Legal Adviser, to the meeting.

Ms Smyth outlined legal advice on the requirements placed upon the Committee by Section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked Ms Smyth and she left the meeting.

Cara Hunter left the meeting at 10.55 a.m.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request further legal advice on Section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 Petitions of Concern

Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would seek the views of their Party on provisions for Petitions of Concern.

5. Annual Debate on the Executive’s Legislative Timetable – Consideration of potential provision in Standing Orders

The Committee considered the potential provision in Standing Orders for an annual debate of the Executive’s legislative timetable.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request legal advice and a draft Standing Order on an approach for the provision in Standing Orders for an annual debate on the Executive’s legislative timetable.

The meeting moved into public session at 11.09 a.m.

6. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the amended Forward Work Programme.

7. Correspondence

The Committee considered a response from the First Minister and deputy First Minister to the previous Committee’s Inquiry into Legislative Consent Motions.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister that work to inform the drafting of Standing Orders to implement the Report recommendations is on the Committee’s list of priority issues to be scheduled in due course.

8. Chairperson’s Business

None.

9. Any Other Business

None.

10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 11.12 a.m.

Kellie Armstrong MLA

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

15 January 2025