Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Resignation and Appointment

The Speaker informed Members that Mr William Irwin had resigned as a Member of the Assembly for the Newry and Armagh constituency with effect from 2 January 2026, and that he had received notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Mr Gareth Wilson had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for that constituency.

Mr Wilson gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered his designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive on 5 January 2026.

2.2 Tributes to Joe Byrne and Mary Bradley

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Ongoing Political Crisis and International Tensions in Venezuela

Mr Timothy Gaston, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Ongoing Political Crisis and International Tensions in Venezuela. 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:

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Gareth Wilson
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mrs Linda Dillon
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Diane Forsythe

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion: Observer Status in the European Parliament (as amended)

The motion was debated on 8 December 2025. The Petition of Concern that was presented under section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 in relation to the vote on the motion was confirmed by 32 Members on 22 December 2025 (Appendix 1).

Proposed:

That this Assembly recalls that the majority of people here voted to remain in the European Union; acknowledges that our long-term future would be best served by rejoining the European Union; recognises the democratic deficit as a result of Brexit; supports the request made by Irish MEPs in a recent letter to the President of the European Parliament for observer status in the European Parliament for our locally elected political representatives; and agrees to write to the European Parliament to express this Assembly’s position with regards to the observer status and its support for the establishment of a European Commission office in Belfast.

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

6. Public Petition

Installation of a Pedestrian Crossing at Station Road, Doagh

Mr John Blair was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on the Installation of a Pedestrian Crossing at Station Road, Doagh.

7. Assembly Business

7.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Gareth Wilson be appointed as a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Harry Harvey
Mr David Brooks

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting suspended at 1.53pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

8. Question Time

8.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.

8.2 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9. Ministerial Statements

9.1 Proposed Draft Budget 2026-29/30

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the Proposed Draft Budget 2026-29/30, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9.2 Criminal Bar Association Withdrawal of Services

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding the Criminal Bar Association Withdrawal of Services, following which she replied to questions.

10. Assembly Business (cont’d)

10.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 12 January 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 12 January 2026 be extended to no later than 9.00pm.

Business Committee

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

11. Executive Committee Business

11.1 Motion: The draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

11.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 10 September 2025, and contained in clauses 2–9, clause 11 and clause 13 of the Bill.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

12. Committee Business

12.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – General Teaching Council Bill (NIA Bill 23/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 27 May 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the General Teaching Council Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

13. Private Members’ Business

13.1 Motion: Establishing an EU Office in Belfast

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the advantages dual market access affords to our businesses; further notes that the worst impacts of Brexit disruption have been mitigated by the Windsor Framework agreement; encourages the British Government and the European Union to work together to address existing challenges and technical issues cited by businesses navigating the new trade, investment and regulatory arrangements; and calls on the British Government and the European Union to finally agree to the establishment of an EU office in Belfast that would provide a channel for businesses to fully benefit from the advantages of dual market access.

Mr Declan Kearney
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mrs Sinéad Ennis

Debate ensued.

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

14. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.16pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

12 January 2026

Northern Ireland Assembly

The undersigned Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly confirmed the Petition of Concern, (presented on 8 December 2025 in relation to the vote on the Motion on Observer Status in the European Parliament), on Monday 22 December 2025 in accordance with section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998

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.

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 4 November 2025 to 10 August 2026.

Northern Ireland Assembly

12 January 2026 – Division 1

Motion: Observer Status in the European Parliament (as amended)

Proposed:

That this Assembly recalls that the majority of people here voted to remain in the European Union; acknowledges that our long-term future would be best served by rejoining the European Union; recognises the democratic deficit as a result of Brexit; supports the request made by Irish MEPs in a recent letter to the President of the European Parliament for observer status in the European Parliament for our locally elected political representatives; and agrees to write to the European Parliament to express this Assembly’s position with regards to the observer status and its support for the establishment of a European Commission office in Belfast.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 50
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 McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

OTHER:

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

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Gildernew, Mrs Mason.

NOES

UNIONIST:

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

Tellers for the Noes: Dr Aiken, Mr Harvey.

Total Votes            83              Total Ayes            50    [60.2%]
Nationalist Votes   34              Nationalist Ayes  34    [100.0%]
Unionist Votes       33             Unionist Ayes         0    [0.0%]
Other Votes           16              Other Ayes           16    [100.0%]

The motion, as amended, was negatived on a cross-community vote.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

12 January 2026 – Division 2

Motion: Establishing an EU Office in Belfast

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the advantages dual market access affords to our businesses; further notes that the worst impacts of Brexit disruption have been mitigated by the Windsor Framework agreement; encourages the British Government and the European Union to work together to address existing challenges and technical issues cited by businesses navigating the new trade, investment and regulatory arrangements; and calls on the British Government and the European Union to finally agree to the establishment of an EU office in Belfast that would provide a channel for businesses to fully benefit from the advantages of dual market access.

Mr Declan Kearney
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mrs Sinéad Ennis

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47
Noes: 29

AYES

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

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Mrs Ferguson.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mr Martin.

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result:

Mr Carroll.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 December 2025 to 12 January 2026

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/197 The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/198 The Civil Legal Services (Remuneration) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/199 The Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

Draft SR 2026/XXX The Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2026/1 The Shellfish Gathering (Conservation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2026/2 The Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Housing Costs (Executive Determinations) (Modification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

SR 2026/3 The Further Education (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2026/4 The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

For Information Only

SR 2025/196 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 6) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/200 The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Memorandum Not Seeking Consent Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Department of Finance)

Legislative Consent Memorandum Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Department of Finance)

6. Assembly Reports

Report on the Committee Stage of the of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (Committee for the Economy) (NIA 133/22-27)

Report on Legislative Consent Memorandum – Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill (Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) (NIA 136/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Publication of a Revision to the Strategic Planning Policy Statement on the Subject of Renewable and Low Carbon Energy (Minister for Infrastructure)

Draft Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy (Minister of Education)

Update on Teachers’ Pay Award for the 2025-26 Financial Year – December 2025 (Minister of Education)

Proposed Draft Budget 2026-2029/30 (Minister of Finance)

Response to publication of the Draft Multi-Year Budget for Consultation (Minister of Education)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Safe Access Zones for Abortion Services - Annual Report – December 2025 (Department of Health)

Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Annual Report April 2024 – March 2025 (Department of Health)

Belfast Metropolitan College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 (Department for the Economy)

North West Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 (Department for the Economy)

South Eastern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 (Department for the Economy)

The Independent Monitoring Authority’s Annual Report to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights established under the Withdrawal Agreement and the Joint Committee established under the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement (The Executive Office)

British Film Institute Group and National Lottery Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (British Film Institute)

Climate Change Committee Annual Report and Accounts 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

United Kingdom Anti-Doping Limited Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 (UK Anti-Doping)

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for Communities)

Draft SI 2026/XXX The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) (Withdrawn)

Draft SI 2026/XXX The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) (Revised)

Child Maintenance Service Annual Report on Decision Making 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (Department for Communities)

Welfare Supplementary Payments, Discretionary Support, Standards of Advice and Assistance, Sanctions Annual Report 2024/25 (Department for Communities)

Funds in Court in Northern Ireland Statement of Accounts 2024-25 (Department of Justice)

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for Communities)

The Annual Report of the Lay Observer for Northern Ireland 2024/25 (Department of Finance)

Ulster Supported Employment Limited Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Ulster Supported Employment Limited)

Tourism Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for the Economy)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department of Finance Memorandum on the Ninth Report from the Public Accounts Committee Mandate 2022-2027 - Managing the Schools’ Estate (Department of Finance)

Follow-Up Review of Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ireland: An Inspection of the Criminal Justice System’s Response (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

The United Kingdom Sports Council Grant-in-Aid and National Lottery Distribution Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025 (UK Sport)

DfI Roads Eastern Division Report to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Autumn 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

DfI Roads Eastern Division Report to Belfast City Council Autumn 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

DfI Roads Western Division 2025 Annual Report to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (Department for Infrastructure)

Partnership Agreement between the Department for Communities and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (Department for Communities)