Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Assembly Business

2.1 Motion: Suspension of Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4)

Proposed:

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 10 November 2025.

Business Committee

The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community support.

2.2 Motion: Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

The Speaker reminded Members of the Assembly’s standard of debate: that of good temper, moderation, courtesy and respect.

Proposed:

That this Assembly, under section 30(1)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that, further to his recent visit to Israel, the Minister of Education no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly, because of his failure to observe paragraphs (cd) and (ce) of the Pledge of Office, relating to his duty to uphold and support the rule of law; and his failure to observe paragraph (g) relating to his duty to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct; and that he should be excluded from holding office as a Minister or junior Minister for a period of 12 months. (Appendix 1).

Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Deirdre Hargey

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was negatived on a cross-community vote (Division 1).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

3. Question Time

3.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly.

3.2 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

4.1 Education Authority Savings Plans

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Nick Mathison.

4.2 Budget Overspend

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Matthew O’Toole.

5. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Mr Gerry Kelly
Mr Paul Frew
Mr John Blair
Mr Doug Beattie
Miss Jemma Dolan
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Danny Baker
Mrs Diane Dodds
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Mark Durkan
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Gary Middleton

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Opposition Business

6.1 Motion: Holding Ministers to Account

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the current structure of government in Northern Ireland makes it impossible to fully hold ministers to account for their actions; expresses concern that, under existing structures, it is not guaranteed that ministers will be removed from office even when found to have breached the Ministerial Code or broken the law; agrees that a programme of institutional reform is required to overcome these challenges; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to bring forward proposals for Executive and Assembly reform, which upholds the stability of the institutions, while also ensuring that Ministers are effectively held to account for their actions.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘broken the law;’ and insert:
‘refers to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee for consideration, the matter of reforms which uphold the principles and protections of the Good Friday Agreement, and ensure the stability of the political institutions while holding ministers to account for their actions; and calls on the Committee to urgently bring forward meaningful proposals for reform on this matter.’

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr Pat Sheehan

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘First Minister and deputy First Minister’ and insert:

‘to respect the role of the Commissioner for Standards when it comes to investigating breaches of the Ministerial Code as required by section 5 of the Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.’

Mr Timothy Gaston

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell.

The Question being put, amendment 2 fell.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 2).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

6.2 Motion: Establishing an Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the findings of the Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland, which identified that environmental pressures, including the crisis in Lough Neagh, reflect serious weaknesses in governance and accountability; agrees with the Review’s findings that the absence of a new model of environmental governance is undermining public trust, compliance and the delivery of environmental outcomes; and calls on the Executive to bring forward and pass legislation to establish an Environmental Protection Agency, properly resourced and operationally independent, before the end of this mandate.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 3).

6.3 Motion: Winter Preparedness Plan

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the handling of the Winter Preparedness Plan 2025-26, noting that poor co-ordination and communication has caused confusion and uncertainty across the health and social care sector; acknowledges the vital contribution of healthcare workers who will face immense pressure in delivering frontline services throughout the winter months; regrets that a pay settlement has not yet been agreed despite commitments made by the Executive; and calls on the Executive to urgently conclude a fair and sustainable pay agreement with healthcare staff to ensure stability, morale, and the safe delivery of patient care this winter.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

After ‘throughout the winter months;’ insert:

‘notes the additional allocation by the Minister of Finance to the Department of Health of £100 million from the Executive’s Budget towards a pay settlement;’

Mrs Linda Dillon
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Declan Kearney

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.34pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

10 November 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly (Appendix 1)

The undersigned Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly give notice to the Speaker, under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, that the Assembly should debate the following Motion:

Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

That this Assembly, under section 30(1)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that, further to his recent visit to Israel, the Minister of Education no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly, because of his failure to observe paragraphs (cd) and (ce) of the Pledge of Office, relating to his duty to uphold and support the rule of law; and his failure to observe paragraph (g) relating to his duty to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct; and that he should be excluded from holding office as a Minister or junior Minister for a period of 12 months.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Mrs Deborah Erskine arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mr Trevor Clarke) during the period 15 September 2025 to 14 June 2026.

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 November 2025 – Division 1

Motion - Exclusion of Minister from Office under Section 30 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

Proposed:

That this Assembly, under section 30(1)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, resolves that, further to his recent visit to Israel, the Minister of Education no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly, because of his failure to observe paragraphs (cd) and (ce) of the Pledge of Office, relating to his duty to uphold and support the rule of law; and his failure to observe paragraph (g) relating to his duty to comply with the Ministerial Code of Conduct; and that he should be excluded from holding office as a Minister or junior Minister for a period of 12 months.

Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Deirdre Hargey

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47
Noes: 33

AYES

NATIONALIST:

Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan.

OTHER:

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Miss McAllister, Mr McMurray, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Miss Hargey.

NOES

UNIONIST:

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Mr Buckley.

 
Total Votes 80               Total Ayes 47              [58.8%]
Nationalist Votes 33      Nationalist Ayes 33    [100.0%]
Unionist Votes 33          Unionist Ayes 0          [0.0%]
Other Votes 14               Other Ayes 14            [100.0%]

The Motion was negatived on a cross-community vote.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 November 2025 – Division 2

Motion - Holding Ministers to Account

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the current structure of government in Northern Ireland makes it impossible to fully hold ministers to account for their actions; expresses concern that, under existing structures, it is not guaranteed that ministers will be removed from office even when found to have breached the Ministerial Code or broken the law; agrees that a programme of institutional reform is required to overcome these challenges; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to bring forward proposals for Executive and Assembly reform, which upholds the stability of the institutions, while also ensuring that Ministers are effectively held to account for their actions.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 42
Noes: 30

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mrs Cameron.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 November 2025 – Division 3

Motion - Establishing an Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the findings of the Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland, which identified that environmental pressures, including the crisis in Lough Neagh, reflect serious weaknesses in governance and accountability; agrees with the Review’s findings that the absence of a new model of environmental governance is undermining public trust, compliance and the delivery of environmental outcomes; and calls on the Executive to bring forward and pass legislation to establish an Environmental Protection Agency, properly resourced and operationally independent, before the end of this mandate.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44
Noes: 21

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Durkan, Ms McLaughlin.

NOES

Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr T Buchanan, Mr Harvey.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 5 November 2025 to 10 November 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

Draft SR 2025/XXXX - The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2025/173 The Damages for Bereavement (Variation of Sum) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Forty-ninth Report, 7 November 2025 (NIA 128/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The Publication of Three Cervical Screening Related Reports (Minister of Health)

Update on Security of Electricity Supply (Minister for the Economy)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Libraries NI, The Northern Ireland Library Authority, Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 (Department for Communities)

Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Retention and Disposal Schedule (Public Records Office Northern Ireland)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly