Committee on Procedures
Minutes of Proceedings - 27 November 2024
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Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)
Trevor Clarke MLA
Órliathí Flynn MLA
Maolíosa McHugh MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Sinéad Ennis MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Robbie Butler MLA
Danny Donnelly MLA
Cara Hunter MLA
William Irwin MLA
Apologies:
None
In Attendance:
Christine Darrah, Assembly Clerk
Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk
Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk
Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer
The meeting started at 10.04 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2024.
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
The meeting moved into closed session at 10.06 a.m.
Sinéad Ennis joined the meeting at 10.06 a.m.
4. Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act 2022 – Petitions of Concern
The Chairperson welcomed Mr Paul Gill, Clerk Assistant, to the meeting.
Mr Gill briefed the Committee on Petition of Concern procedures in respect of Section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as amended by the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern)2022 Act and on other issues that may need to be considered regarding possible amendment of Standing Order 28.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.38 a.m.
Cara Hunter joined the meeting at 10.41 a.m.
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Gill and he left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that consideration of whether to provide for a new or amended Standing Order 28 should be included on the list of priority areas of work.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission advice from Assembly Legal Services on Section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as amended by the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern)2022 Act
The meeting moved into public session at 10.55 a.m.
5. Inquiry into Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy - Draft Terms of Reference
The Committee considered draft terms of reference for an inquiry into the extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the draft terms of reference for the inquiry.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research papers from RaISe on the position in other legislatures on the categories of proxy voting to be considered during the inquiry.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the next meeting of the Committee should take place on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the amended Forward Work Programme.
7. Correspondence
The Committee considered further correspondence from Mr Timothy Gaston MLA on his request that consideration be given to setting out in Standing Orders a number of requirements regarding arrangements for meetings between a Committee Chairperson and witnesses prior to their appearance.
Mr Robbie Butler MLA declared an interest as Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Mr Gaston providing information on the strategic planning process it has undertaken and the resultant list of issues that it has prioritised for consideration.
8. Chairperson’s Business
None.
9. Any Other Business
Item 1 – Guidance on Proxy Voting for Paternal Leave in Plenary
The Chairperson advised the Committee that the Speaker is progressing his guidance on proxy voting for paternal leave in Plenary.
Item 2 – Committee Study Visit to the Scottish Parliament
The Chairperson advised Members that the travel pack for the Committee Study Visit to the Scottish Parliament would be available by the end of the week.
10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.06 a.m.
Kellie Armstrong MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
15 January 2025
