Committee on Procedures
Minutes of Proceedings - 26 November 2025
Committee on Procedures - 26 November 2025.pdf (148.73 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 21, Parliament Buildings
Present:
Kellie Armstrong MLA (Chairperson)
Cheryl Brownlee MLA
Trevor Clarke MLA
Danny Donnelly MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Órlaithí Flynn (Deputy Chairperson)
Robbie Butler MLA
Cara Hunter MLA
Philip McGuigan MLA
Apologies:
Aoife Finnegan MLA
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 10.00 a.m. in public session.
1. Apologies
As above.
The Chairperson welcomed Philip McGuigan to his first meeting of the Committee.
The Chairperson placed on the record the Committee's appreciation for Maolíosa McHugh's contribution to the work of the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Maolíosa McHugh MLA thanking him for his contribution as a member of the Committee.
2. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2025.
3. Matters Arising
None.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the meeting should move into closed session.
The meeting moved into closed session at 10.02 a.m.
4. Repeal of Standing Order 70 and consequential amendments to Standing Orders - Further consideration of consequential amendment to Standing Order 22(2) and legal advice
Órlaithí Flynn joined the meeting at 10.03 a.m.
Robbie Butler joined the meeting at 10.04 a.m.
The Chairperson welcomed Helen Smyth, Assembly Legal Adviser to the meeting.
Ms Smyth outlined her legal advice on the technical amendment to Standing Order 22(2) to the Committee.
Trevor Clarke joined the meeting at 10.21 a.m.
The briefing was followed by a question and answer session.
The Chairperson thanked Ms Smyth and she left the meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Speaker for his opinion on the impact of the proposed amendment to Standing Order 22(2)
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Business Committee for its opinion on the impact of the proposed amendment to Standing Order 22(2)
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Committee on Standards and Privileges to provide an update on the repeal of Standing Order 70 and to clarify the intention of the proposed amendment to Standing Order 22(2).
5. Northern Ireland Act 1998 Section 42 - Petitions of Concern - Further consideration of potential provision in Standing Orders
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the parties who had not yet provided their views on the draft illustrative Standing Orders on petitions of concern asking for responses as soon as possible to allow the Committee to progress this work..
Agreed: The Committee agreed to defer this agenda item to its next meeting.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.41 a.m.
6. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered an updated Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Committeeagreed the updated Forward Work Programme.
7. Correspondence
None.
8. Chairperson's Business
None.
9. Any Other Business
None.
10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.41a.m.
Kellie Armstrong MLA
Chairperson, Committee on Procedures
10 December 2025
