Committee on Procedures

Minutes of proceedings 15 April 2026

Committee on Procedures - Minutes of Proceedings - 15 April 2026.pdf (151.51 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 MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Danny Baker MLA

Danny Donnelly MLA

Cara Hunter MLA

Apologies:

Robbie Butler MLA

Philip McGuigan 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 10.10 a.m. in public session.

1.    Apologies

As above.

2.    Draft Minutes

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2026.

3.    Matters Arising

None.

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

The meeting moved into closed session at 10.12 a.m.

4.    Inquiry into an Extension of Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy for Long-term Illness, Bereavement and Absence on Official Assembly Business – Consideration of draft Standing Order

The Chairperson welcomed Mr Adam Leitch, Assembly Legal Adviser, to the meeting.

Órlaithí Flynn joined the meeting at 10.19 a.m.

Mr Leitch outlined the amendments to draft Standing Order 27A Voting by Proxy and the associated legal advice.

The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Leitch and he left the meeting.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request revisions to paragraph 5 of draft Standing Order 27A from Assembly   Legal Services to reflect the Committee’s preferred position on the duration of a proxy vote for bereavement.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to undertake further consideration of draft Standing Order 27A at a future meeting.

The meeting moved into public session at 10.42 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 29 April 2026 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 10.44 a.m.

Kellie Armstrong MLA

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

29 April 2026