Marshalled List of Amendments
16 May 2025
Motion: Decolonisation of Museum Collections and Repatriation of Artefacts
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes National Museums NI's (NMNI) commitment in its Ethics Policy to proactively seek to democratise and decolonise its collections, through ethical collections development, research, partnerships and engagement; further notes the Inclusive Global Histories exhibition launched by Ulster Museum in 2022 which aims to demonstrate NMNI's commitment to decolonisation, diversity and inclusion; commends the continued repatriation efforts of NMNI regarding the return of human remains and other sacred objects to the people of Hawaii; acknowledges the immense cultural, social, and historical significance that the return of artefacts represent to societies and indigenous communities impacted by colonialism around the world, including on this island; encourages museums to further develop and expand decolonisation policies, such as cooperating with requests for the repatriation of art and artefacts; and calls on the Minister for Communities to support museums here in their efforts to decolonise their collections.
Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Amendment
Leave out all after 'impacted' and insert:
': recognises that many museums are already working under significant financial constraints and that their primary responsibility must remain the preservation, interpretation, and accessibility of collections that reflect history and identity; believes that while the ethical return of human remains or sacred objects may be appropriate in individual, evidence-based cases, this should not be confused with a broader mandate to revise or remove shared cultural artefacts that help tell our collective story; further acknowledges the risk of ideologically driven international campaigns around cultural or historical revisionism and blame which may not reflect the unique context or priorities of each society, nor the complexities surrounding provenance, acquisition, and legal ownership in many historical cases; further recognises that such artefacts are often preserved and made accessible through the expertise, conservation facilities, and educational programmes offered by museums, enabling them to serve as valuable resources for public learning and community cohesion; and calls on the Minister for Communities to support museums in developing their ethical policies with a focus on access, education, and reconciliation, ensuring that resources are directed toward programmes that foster understanding within and between communities.'
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Andy Allen
Mr John Stewart
Motion: Addressing the Impact of Illegal Immigration in Northern Ireland
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the Prime Minister's plans to reduce legal migration to the UK; regrets the Government's continuing failure to meaningfully address illegal immigration, including through measures that apply equally across the UK; expresses alarm that the estimated cost of accommodation for asylum seekers in Northern Ireland has risen to £400 million, four times the original estimate, as detailed in the National Audit Office briefing on the Home Office's asylum accommodation contracts; is concerned that, increasingly, this is placing unsustainable pressures on basic services, including access to GPs, dentists and the provision of school places; further notes the link between illegal immigration, increased demand for housing, and the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in many areas of Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to urgently review, and amend, the Strategic Planning Policy Statement to place additional restrictions on the approval of HMOs by local councils.
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Brian Kingston
Amendment
Leave out all after 'legal migration to the UK;' and insert:
'acknowledges that immigration can deliver many benefits including contributing to economic growth and addressing skills shortages; regrets the continued divisive rhetoric around immigration in UK politics, including from the UK Government; agrees that insufficient investment places greater pressure on the delivery of key public services; recognises that immigration policy should focus on integration and addressing the drivers of displacement; expresses concern that Northern Ireland remains without a refugee integration strategy; and calls on the First and deputy First Minister to publish a refugee integration strategy by September 2025.'
Mr Matthew O'Toole
Ms Sinead McLaughlin
Mr Colin McGrath
