Committee on Procedures
Minutes of Proceedings - 10 June 2026
Committee on Procedures - 10 June 2026.pdf (147.2 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Órlaithí Flynn MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cheryl Brownlee MLA
Trevor Clarke MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Danny Baker MLA
Robbie Butler MLA
Danny Donnelly MLA
Cara Hunter MLA
Philip McGuigan MLA
Apologies:
Kellie Armstrong MLA (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 27 May 2026.
3. Matters Arising
None.
Robbie Butler joined the meeting at 10.04 a.m.
4. Standing Order 42A Legislative Consent Motions – Written Briefing and Consultation with the Executive Office
The Committee considered paragraph (7) of draft revised Standing Order 42A Legislative Consent Motions that covers exceptional circumstances and noted the current available approaches by which the Speaker can raise issues or concerns of non-compliance by Ministers.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to seek the views of the Executive on revised draft Standing Order 42A prior to the meeting at which formal consideration of the revised Standing Order is due to take place.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session for the next three agenda items.
The meeting moved into closed session at 10.08 a.m.
5. Scrutiny of Delegated Powers in Bills by the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly – Consideration of draft Standing Order and draft Motion
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Maeve Corrigan, Assembly Legal Adviser, to the meeting.
Ms Corrigan outlined the revised amendments to draft Standing Order 43A and the associated legal advice.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked Ms Corrigan and she left the meeting.
The Committee considered a written briefing paper from the Examiner of Statutory Rules including suggested minor amendments to draft Standing Order 43A. The Committee considered the various versions of the draft Standing Order.
Agreed: The Committee agreed suggested minor amendments to draft Standing Order 43A.
The Committee considered amended new Standing Order 43A and a motion to go to the Assembly.
Agreed: The Committee agreed paragraph 1 which provides for the scrutiny and reporting functions by the appropriate committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed paragraph 2 which provides for the appropriate committee to delegate its functions in relation to delegated powers in Bills to the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
Agreed: The Committee agreed paragraph 3 which defines the “appropriate committee”.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Standing Order be tabled as a motion in the Business Office to be scheduled for debate in Plenary.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request a one hour debate for the motion.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Chairpersons’ Liaison Group, the Executive Office, the Assembly Bill Office, the Examiner of Statutory Rules and the Clerking and Members Support Office to provide them with an update on this issue.
Agreed: The Committee agreed a letter setting out the background to, and the Committee’s consideration of, the draft Standing Order to be issued electronically to all MLAs to inform the debate on the motion.
6. Inquiry into an Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy – Further Consideration of Final Position on Bereavement – Further Legal Advice
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.31 a.m.
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Simon Kelly, Assembly Legal Adviser, to the meeting.
Mr Kelly outlined the revisions to draft Standing Order 27A in relation to bereavement and the associated legal advice.
Robbie Butler left the meeting at 10.41 a.m.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked Mr Kelly and he left the meeting.
The Committee considered whether the draft Standing Order should include information on the duration of a proxy vote for bereavement.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Standing Order should not include information on duration of a proxy vote for bereavement.
7. Consideration of Strategic Priorities – Further Consideration of Assembly Questions – Oral Briefing by Business Office Officials
Trevor Clarke declared an interest as a member of the Assembly Commission.
The Deputy Chairperson welcomed Assembly officials Paul Gill, Clerk Assistant, and Gavin Ervine, Assembly Clerk, to the meeting.
The officials briefed the Committee on the Guidance for Members on Assembly Questions and other issues relating to Assembly Questions raised by Members and Departments.
Cara Hunter left the meeting at 11.18 a.m.
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Deputy Chairperson thanked the officials and they left the meeting.
The Committee considered a potential review of Assembly Questions and what issues it could focus on.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider a proposed approach and timescales for consideration of Assembly Questions at a future meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission a research paper on procedures and issues relating to oral and written questions in comparable legislatures.
The meeting moved into public session at 11.31 a.m.
8. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the updated Forward Work Programme.
9. Correspondence
None.
10. Chairperson’s Business
None.
11. Any Other Business
None.
12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.32 a.m.
Kellie Armstrong MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
24 June 2026
