Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 11 May 2026
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Speaker’s Business
2.1 Royal Assent
The Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent was signified to the Hospital Parking Charges Bill. The Hospital Parking Charges Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 became law on 6 May 2026.
3. Matters of the Day
3.1 Judgment in the Dillon Judicial Review by the Supreme Court
Mr Timothy Gaston, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Judgment in the Dillon Judicial Review by the Supreme Court. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
3.2 Results of Scottish Election and Welsh Election
Mrs Sinéad Ennis, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Results of Scottish Election and Welsh Election. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
4. Members’ Statements
Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:
Mr Declan Kearney
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Jon Burrows
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Justin McNulty
Mrs Julie Middleton
5. Committee Business
5.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill (NIA Bill 31/22-27)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 30 October 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill.
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
5.2 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill (NIA Bill 32/22-27)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 20 November 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill.
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
5.3 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill (NIA Bill 30/22-27)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 November 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.
Chairperson, Committee for Finance
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
5.4 Motion: Report on the 2026-29/30 Draft Budget
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the Committee for Finance and Northern Ireland Fiscal Council reports of the 2026-29/30 draft budget; and calls on the Minister of Finance to give due regard to their findings.
Chairperson, Committee for Finance
Debate ensued.
The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 The Executive Office
Questions were put to, and answered by, the deputy First Minister, Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly. The junior Minister, Ms Joanne Bunting, also answered a question.
6.2 Infrastructure
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins .
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
7. Committee Business (cont’d)
7.1 Motion: Report on the 2026-29/30 Draft Budget (cont’d)
Debate resumed.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.
8. Private Members’ Business
8.1 Motion: Delivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan
Proposed:
That this Assembly welcomes the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040, which aims to accommodate seven million passengers, double the airport workforce and provide a £1.7 billion boost to the Northern Ireland economy by 2040; supports plans to expand terminal and airfield facilities, establish a new onsite hotel and pursue the first direct rail link of any airport in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland; believes these steps are essential to strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation as a leading destination for visitors from Great Britain, Europe and the rest of the world; cautions against laws, policies or targets which would jeopardise such investment in major infrastructure and, specifically, hamper efforts by local airports to attract more flights, expand their route network and meet the needs of passengers; regrets the continuing failure of the Department for the Economy to produce a comprehensive aviation strategy for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister for the Economy and Minister for Infrastructure to present proposals to the Executive on how they intend to support the actions outlined in the Belfast City Airport Master Plan 2040.
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Amendment:
Leave out all after ‘any airport’ and insert:
‘on the island; believes these steps are essential to strengthen our reputation as a leading destination for tourism; recognises the importance of air connectivity to the island as an economic driver for business, tourism and family travel; further recognises the need for more sustainable aviation; acknowledges that the Department for the Economy is currently consulting on aviation policy; and calls for collaboration among the relevant Executive Departments and Belfast City Council to support the development of Belfast City Airport.’
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the amendment was agreed (Division).
The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.
9. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 6.07pm.
Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
11 May 2026
Northern Ireland Assembly
Proxy Voting Notifications
In line with Standing Order 27A, Miss Nicola Brogan arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mrs Sinéad Ennis) during the period 11 November 2025 to 10 August 2026.
Northern Ireland Assembly
11 May 2026 – Division
Amendment: Delivering the Belfast City Airport Master Plan
Proposed:
Leave out all after ‘any airport’ and insert:
‘on the island; believes these steps are essential to strengthen our reputation as a leading destination for tourism; recognises the importance of air connectivity to the island as an economic driver for business, tourism and family travel; further recognises the need for more sustainable aviation; acknowledges that the Department for the Economy is currently consulting on aviation policy; and calls for collaboration among the relevant Executive Departments and Belfast City Council to support the development of Belfast City Airport.’
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 41
Noes: 27
AYES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Mr McGuigan.
NOES
Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Mr Brooks.
The amendment was made.
Votes cast by proxy:
Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 6 May to 11 May 2026.
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Hospital Parking Charges Act (Northern Ireland) 2026.
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
Draft SR 2026/XXXX The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
Draft SR 2026/XXXX The Baby Loss Certificate Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Finance)
SR 2026/87 The Education (Student Support and Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)
SR 2026/88 The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)
For Information Only
SR 2026/55 The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)
SR 2026/80 The Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 - CORRECTION SLIP (Department for Infrastructure)
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
6. Assembly Reports
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Advancing Shared Education 5th Report to the Northern Ireland Assembly May 2026 (Department of Education)
