Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

Standards of Debate

The Speaker made some general remarks on the standard of debate expected in the Chamber, including good temper, moderation, courtesy and respect. The Speaker also cautioned Members on challenging the Chair, including on social media, and that Points of Order should not be abused.

3. Matters of the Day

3.1 Racially Motivated Riots

Mr Colm Gildernew, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on racially motivated riots. 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 Philip McGuigan
Mr Gareth Wilson
Ms Connie Egan

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Miss Jemma Dolan
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Jon Burrows
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr Alan Robinson

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 First Stage: Charities (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, introduced a Bill to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 in various respects.

The Charities (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

5.2 First Stage: Harbours Bill (NIA Bill 37/22-27)

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to harbours and harbour authorities.

The Harbours Bill (NIA 37/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

5.3 Final Stage: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved that the Final Stage of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir.

6.2 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons.

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Healthcare Staff: Security Measures

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Colin McGrath.

8. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

8.1 Final Stage: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27) passed Final Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9. Assembly Business

9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 15 June 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 15 June 2026 be extended to no later than 10.30pm.

Business Committee

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

10. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

10.1 Final Stage: Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved that the Final Stage of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27) passed Final Stage.

10.2 Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) (Day 4)

Debate resumed.

The sitting was suspended at 6.17pm and resumed at 6.50pm.

A valid Petition of Concern was presented under section 42 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, on Monday 15 June 2026, in relation to the vote on amendments 79, 80, 81, 82, 85 and 86 to the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) (Appendix 1). The Deputy Speaker informed Members that as a result there would now be a 14-day consideration period which would end on 28 June 2026. The Deputy Speaker said that if the petition was confirmed on 29 June, the vote on amendments 79, 80, 81, 82, 85 and 86 would require cross-community support. The Deputy Speaker explained that as amendments are moved and voted in the order in which they are listed on the Marshalled List, the Assembly could not vote on any other amendments or remaining clauses until it had voted on the amendments that were subject to the petitions of concern, but that the debates on all amendments could still proceed.

Debate resumed.

Ms Bradshaw proposed, under Standing Order 25, that “the question be now decided”.
As it appeared to the Deputy Speaker that some of the parties present had not had a reasonable opportunity to contribute to the debate, the question was not put.

Debate resumed

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair

The Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill [NIA Bill 07/22-27] was suspended until Tuesday 16 June 2026.

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 10.18pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
15 June 2026

Northern Ireland Assembly

The undersigned Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly presented a Petition of Concern, in accordance with Standing Order 28, on Monday 15 June 2026, in relation to the vote on amendments 79, 80, 81, 82, 85 and 86 to the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27).

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

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 June to 15 June 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Charities (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 36/22-27)

Harbours Bill (NIA Bill 37/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/110 The Cattle Identification (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2026/111 The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

For Information Only

SR 2026/109 The Road Races (Rallye Lecale) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Assembly Reports

Report on the Dilapidation Bill (NIA 170/22-27) (Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

6. Written Ministerial Statements

7. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Flood Risk Management in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

8. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly