Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): We have discussed and agreed that Committee Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill be extended. I will put it on the record and seek agreement that, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in that Standing Order be extended to 13 November 2026 in relation to Committee Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill. Are members agreed?

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): Are members agreed that the session be reported by Hansard?

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): For the record, I will reflect that the extension to the Committee Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill has been agreed. That will be reflected in the minutes of proceedings. We will need to bring a motion to the Assembly to confirm that.

Are members also agreed that we seek written evidence from the list of stakeholders and the further relevant groups that we identified in our discussions and that we agree to the call for evidence in the Citizen Space survey beginning on Friday 1 May and running for six weeks?

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): Are members agreed that the signposting ads be published in the week commencing 11 May and that we request a Keeling schedule for the Bill from the Department of Finance?

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): I thank the Bill Clerk for joining us.

The Committee Clerk: The only other thing to ask is whether members agree to an amendment to the Citizen Space and Balmoral surveys. We will go and do those.

The Chairperson (Mr O'Toole): Great. Thank you.