Committee on Procedures

Minutes of Proceedings 29 January 2025

Committee on Procedures 29 January 2025.pdf (145.96 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings

Present:                   

Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)

Trevor Clarke MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Sinéad Ennis MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Danny Donnelly MLA

Cara Hunter MLA

William Irwin MLA

Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Apologies:               

Robbie Butler MLA

Órlaithí Flynn MLA

In Attendance:       

Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk

Christine Darrah, Assembly Clerk

Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk

Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer

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

1.      Apologies

As above.

2.      Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2025.

3.      Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4.      Inquiry into an Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy – Research Paper on Proxy Voting - Long-Term Illness

Sinéad Ennis joined the meeting at 10.03 a.m.

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Ray McCaffrey, Assembly Researcher, to the meeting.

Mr McCaffrey briefed the Committee on his Research Paper on Proxy Voting – Long-Term Illness.

Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.09 a.m.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked Mr McCaffrey and he left the meeting.

The Committee noted that consideration of the policy/principles relating to the potential extension of Standing Order 27A to cover long-term illness was scheduled to take place at the meeting on Wednesday 12 February 2025.

5.      Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed the Forward Work Programme.

Cara Hunter left the meeting at 10.29 a.m.

The Committee noted a report of the study visit to the Scottish Parliament and watched a recording of decision time that illustrated the electronic voting system used by the Parliament.

The Chairperson recorded her thanks to the Presiding Officer, Members and officials of the Scottish Parliament for facilitating the Committee’s study visit.

6.      Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Clerk to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the primacy of the PAC over Northern Ireland Audit Office reports and providing information on the subject of its current inquiries.

7.      Chairperson’s Business

None.

8.      Any Other Business

None.

9.      Date, Time and Place of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 10.45 a.m.

Kellie Armstrong MLA

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

12 February 2025