Committee on Procedures

Minutes of Proceedings - 12 November 2025

Committee on Procedures - Minutes of Proceedings - 12 November 2025.pdf (149.01 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)

Cheryl Brownlee MLA

Trevor Clarke MLA

Present by Video or Teleconference:

Órlaithí Flynn (Deputy Chairperson)

Robbie Butler MLA

Danny Donnelly MLA

Aoife Finnegan MLA

Cara Hunter MLA

Maolíosa McHugh MLA

Apologies: None

In Attendance:

Stella McArdle, Assembly Clerk

Claire Milliken, Senior Assistant Assembly Clerk

Michael Best, Assistant Assembly Clerk

Veronica Lo Pinto, Clerical Officer

The meeting started at 10.05 a.m. in public session.

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2025.

3. Matters Arising

The Chairperson updated the Committee on the responses received on the draft Standing Orders for petitions of concern and asked Members to remind their parties to provide a response if they have not yet done so.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session.

The meeting moved into closed session at 10.08 a.m.

4. Inquiry into Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy for long-term illness, bereavement and absence on official Assembly business - Further Consideration of policy/principles relating to an extension of SO27A for serious long-term illness and injury

Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.14 a.m.

The Committee considered options for the provision of supporting documentation to accompany the notification of proxy voting for serious long-term illness and injury.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a preferred position on the provision of supporting documentation to accompany the notification of proxy voting for serious long-term illness and injury.

The Committee considered the period of a proxy vote for serious long-term illness and injury.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a preferred position on the period of a proxy vote for serious long-term illness and injury.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk consult with the relevant Assembly business areas on the Committee's preferred positions on the provision of supporting documentation to accompany the notification of a proxy vote and the period of a proxy vote for serious long-term illness and injury.

Cara Hunter left the meeting at 11.00 a.m.

The meeting moved into public session at 11.06 a.m.

5. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committeeagreed the updated Forward Work Programme.

6. Correspondence

None.

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 26 November 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 11.07 a.m.

Kellie Armstrong MLA

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

26 November 2025