Official Report: Minutes of Evidence

The Chairperson (Mr Martin): On 2 July 2026, Sinéad Ennis proposed that the decision taken by the Committee on 1 July 2026 not to issue a call for evidence on the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill prior to its referral to the Committee following Second Stage be rescinded. The Committee is now considering that proposal.

Sinéad, it is over to you. I assume that your reasoning is the same as that for the Tree Protection Bill.

Ms Ennis: Yes, Chair, it is the same. This is not about commentary on the content of the Bill itself but, rather, the process and whether the Committee would be stepping outside the normal process. The rationale to rescind the decision is the same as that for the Tree Protection Bill: the precedent has already been set by other Committees to call for evidence beforehand. I felt that it was only fair to let the Committee know that and give it the opportunity to review its decision on that basis.

The Chairperson (Mr Martin): That is great. Thank you, Sinéad.

Any members who wish to say anything on this item may indicate. It is exactly the same process as previously. Does anyone wish to flag anything up, if you will pardon the pun?

OK. As no members have indicated, the Question will be put. I will then hand over to the Committee Clerk to handle the vote. I will keep the position that I held previously, so I suspect that a vote will be needed.

Ms Ennis: I beg to move

The Chairperson (Mr Martin): Based on that, I need to seek the Committee's agreement on a 10-week consultation period, from 9 July until 16 September 2026, on the proposed call for evidence. I also seek agreement on the draft press release, signposting notice, questions for the Citizen Space survey and stakeholder list.

As with the previous item, I suspect that Members will vote the same way as they did on the Question, and, as such, I take it that the Committee agrees both of those things. Is the Committee agreed?

The Chairperson (Mr Martin): OK. Thank you.