Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 16 February 2026
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Speaker’s Business
2.1 Members' Bills
The Speaker updated Members on the status of Members’ Bills, of his request for an update on the Executive legislation programme and that he is considering measures to strengthen the legislative culture in the Assembly.
3. Matter of the Day
3.1 High Court Ruling that the Ban on Palestine Action is Unlawful
Mr Declan Kearney, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the High Court Ruling that the Ban on Palestine Action is Unlawful. 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:
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Paul Frew
Ms Sian Mulholland
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Justin McNulty
Ms Liz Kimmins
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
Mr Tom Buchanan
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Declan Kearney
Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr Timothy Gaston
5. Ministerial Statement
5.1 North South Ministerial Council Special EU Programmes Body Sectoral Meeting
The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Special EU Programmes Body Sectoral meeting, following which he replied to questions.
6. Executive Committee Business
6.1 Motion: The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Proposed:
That the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026 be approved.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
6.2 Motion: The draft Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
Proposed:
That the draft Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Energy Bills Discount Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 be approved.
Minister for the Economy
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
7. Private Members’ Business
7.1 First Stage: Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 24/22-27)
Mr Declan McAleer introduced a Bill to require the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to make regulations under the Agriculture Act 2020 as to payments for areas with natural constraints.
The Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 24/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
7.2 Motion: Tackling the Rise in Dangerous Potholes on our Roads
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses concern at the increase in dangerous potholes following Storm Chandra and worsening winter surface conditions on our roads; is concerned with the increasing risk this poses to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians; believes the continued deterioration of the public road network has now reached a crisis point; notes with alarm that in 2025 an estimated 127,109 surface defects were recorded across Northern Ireland, including 97,897 potholes; condemns the long-standing and short-sighted Department for Infrastructure policy of only repairing the highest priority defects and, even then, doing only the minimum work necessary to remove any immediate safety risk; further believes the Minister for Infrastructure has failed to address the roads crisis; expresses disappointment that the new draft Road Maintenance Strategy lacks clear prioritisation and detailed, costed and time-bound actions to deliver measurable improvements; and, following the closure of the public consultation on the new draft Strategy, calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to urgently bring forward an updated Roads Maintenance Strategy and detailed action plan that addresses these concerns.
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Harry Harvey
Amendment:
Leave out all after ‘including 97,897 potholes;’ and insert:
‘welcomes the Minister for Infrastructure’s new draft Road Maintenance Strategy which sets out a clear vision for how roads will be managed and maintained over the coming years with increased use of technology; commends both the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Infrastructure for securing an additional £7.85 million towards targeted road maintenance in response to Storm Chandra, in addition to the £30 million allocated in December 2025; supports efforts to improving the state of our roads; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to bring forward the Road Maintenance Strategy and associated action plan, following the closure of the consultation on the draft Strategy.’
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Philip McGuigan
Debate ensued.
The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.
8. Question Time
8.1 The Executive Office
Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Ms Michelle O’Neill. The junior Minister, Ms Aisling Reilly, also answered a number of questions.
8.2 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir.
9. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer
9.1 Cass Assessment Report for Gender Identity Services
The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Diane Dodds.
9.2 Illegal Billboards in Newry
The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Peter Martin.
10. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)
10.1 Motion: Tackling the Rise in Dangerous Potholes on our Roads (cont’d)
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
Debate resumed.
The Question being put, the amendment fell.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.
10.2 Motion: Accessing Mental Health Data
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the urgent need for accurate and consistent mental health data to support effective planning, delivery and accountability of mental health, addiction and suicide prevention services across Health and Social Care Trusts; expresses concern that the absence of a centralised data system and the fragmented approach to data management across Trusts have created major gaps in understanding service capacity, demand and outcomes, including information on bed availability, planned versus actual spending, referral numbers, people in contact with support services, and performance against waiting-time targets; notes that such information is routinely published in other jurisdictions; believes that this data deficit undermines the effectiveness of the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031 and transparency across the system; and calls on the Minister of Health to prioritise the creation of a single, standardised mental health data system with regular public reporting across all Trusts, to underpin evidence-based decision-making and improve outcomes for the population.
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mrs Linda Dillon
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
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 6.17pm.
Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
16 February 2026
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 11 November 2025 to 10 August 2026.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 February 2026 to 16 February 2026
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 24/22-27)
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
SR 2026/17 The Disqualified Directors Compensation Orders (Fees) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill (Department of Health)
6. Assembly Reports
Report on the Sign Language Bill (NIA 140/22-27) (Committee for Communities)
Report on a complaint against Mr Matthew O’Toole MLA (NIA 122/22-27) (Committee on Standards and Privileges)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Public Expenditure: 2025-26 Reserve Claim (Minister of Finance)
Regional Rate 2026/27 (Minister of Finance)
8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2025-26 (Department of Finance)
Northern Ireland Estimate Vote on Account 2026-2027 (Department of Finance)
