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 Gary Middleton had resigned as a Member of the Assembly for the Foyle constituency and that he had received notification from the Chief Electoral Officer that Mrs Julie Middleton had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for that constituency.

Mrs Middleton gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive on 13 April 2026.

3. Matters of the Day

3.1 Rory McIlroy Back to Back Masters Victories

Mr Stephen Dunne, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on Rory McIlroy’s Back to Back Masters Victories. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3.2 Impact of Rising Energy Prices on Households and Businesses

Mr Jonathan Buckley, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Impact of Rising Energy Prices on Households and Businesses. 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 Phillip Brett
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Justin McNulty
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly
Mr Matthew O’Toole

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Timothy Gaston

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 First Stage: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill (NIA Bill 31/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, introduced a Bill to repeal provisions in the Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 relating to petroleum exploration and licensing; and for connected purposes.

The Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill (NIA Bill 31/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

5.2 Motion: The Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Second Stage: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27)

Mr Danny Baker moved the Second Stage of the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time.

7. Question Time

7.1 The Executive Office

The Speaker took the Chair.

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

7.2 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

8.1 Second Stage: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The sitting suspended at 5.49pm and resumed at 6.00pm.

9. Assembly Business

9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 13 April 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 13 April 2026 be extended to no later than 8.30pm.

Business Committee

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

10.1 Second Stage: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27) passed Second Stage (Division).

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

10.2 Motion: Continuation of PEACEPLUS Funding beyond 2027

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the positive impact that PEACEPLUS funding has had on the cross-border economy and grass-roots community organisations; recognises the value of PEACEPLUS with £1 billion worth of funding allocated to 145 projects from the 2021-27 scheme so far; further notes the vital support from the European Union in securing the Good Friday Agreement; acknowledges the agreement in principle from the British Government, the Dublin Government and the EU that there will be a successor to PEACEPLUS; welcomes the agreement in the European Parliament Committee for Regional Development for a central allocation for PEACEPLUS funding to be secured as part of the EU's multiannual budget following an amendment by Sinn Féin MEPs; further recognises that, while this will help restore the financial basis for PEACEPLUS beyond 2027, more clarity is needed on the overall funding amounts; and calls on the Executive, the British Government and the Dublin Government to engage with the European Union to ensure that the value of funding allocated is valued at the same rate or above that of the previous PEACEPLUS Programme.

Mr Declan Kearney
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Colm Gildernew

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.38pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
13 April 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

13 April 2026 – Division

Second Stage: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27)

Mr Danny Baker

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 55
Noes: 24

AYES

Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, 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, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Baker, Mr McAleer.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mrs Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mr Martin.

The Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27) passed Second Stage.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 1 April 2026 to 13 April 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill (NIA Bill 31/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/72 The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Health)

SR 2026/73 The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Health)

SR 2026/74 The Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)

For Information Only

SR 2026/50 The Social Security (Contributions) (Republic of India) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

SR 2026/71 The Road Races (Cookstown 100 Motor Cycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/75 The Road Races (North West 200) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/76 The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/77 The Road Races (Spamount Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Annual Report April 2024-March 2025 (The Executive Office)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly