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 reminded Members that the standard of debate expected in the Chamber was that of good temper, moderation, courtesy, and respect. The Speaker said he upheld the right of all Members to exercise their role of scrutiny and to challenge opposing arguments, but that robust debate did not mean disorderly debate.

3. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Miss Jemma Dolan
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Andrew McMurray
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Stewart Dickson
Miss Nicola Brogan
Ms Diane Forsythe
Dr Steve Aiken

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Public Petition

Scrap the Rates Exemption for Big Business

Mr Gerry Carroll was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition to Scrap the Rates Exemption for Big Business.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Second Stage: RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved the Second Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion: Strengthening Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the increasing frequency and severity of storms which have caused widespread disruption to electricity, broadband, transport, and essential public and community services across Northern Ireland; further notes that these events have exposed weaknesses in communication, co-ordination, and infrastructure resilience, particularly in rural and isolated areas; expresses concern at the confusion during recent storms, when delayed and inconsistent messages from the Education Authority about school closures left parents, pupils, and staff struggling to make last-minute arrangements; recognises the need for clearer contingency planning, stronger leadership, and better co-ordination between departments and agencies; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to lead a cross-departmental review to improve communication, strengthen infrastructure and emergency response systems, and ensure that communities and essential services are better protected during future severe weather events.

Mr Robbie Butler
Mr John Stewart
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Jon Burrows

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘isolated areas;’ and insert:

‘is alarmed that recent storm damage to Ballylumford power station, combined with planned maintenance at Coolkeeragh power station, left local electricity supply at risk of a single point of failure; recognises the need for clearer contingency planning, stronger leadership, and better co-ordination between departments and agencies; calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to lead a cross-departmental review to improve communication, including with schools and parents, to strengthen infrastructure and emergency response systems, and ensure that communities and essential services are better protected during future severe weather events; and further calls on the Minister for the Economy, as part of that review, to provide assurances that her Department’s pursuit of ensuring at least 80 per cent of electricity consumption is from renewables by 2030 will not jeopardise energy security or place vital public services at risk.’

Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr Jonathan Buckley

Debate ensued.

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

7. Question Time

7.1 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.

7.2 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

The sitting was suspended at 3.17pm and resumed at 3.25pm, when questions to the Minister for the Economy resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Winter Preparedness Plan 2025-26

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

8.2 Threat of Asian Hornets

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Aoife Finnegan.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

9. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

9.1 Motion: Strengthening Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.22 pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

20 October 2025

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, Mr Peter McReynolds arranged for his vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 15 October 2025 to 4 November 2025. 

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 October 2025 to 20 October 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/166 The Enforcement of Fines and Other Penalties (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/167 The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/168 The Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (Retention and Disposal of Seized Motor Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/165 The Farm Sustainability Standards Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Memorandum Not Seeking Consent: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill Memorandum (Department of Finance) (Withdrawn)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Invest NI Review of Investments (Minister for the Economy)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

National Museums NI Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for Communities)

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

Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board Retention and Disposal Schedule (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland/Department for Communities)

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General Northern Ireland Energy Strategy (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Northern Ireland 2024 (Department of Health)

SI 2025/1101 The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) (No.2) Order (The Privy Council/Department for Infrastructure)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department for Infrastructure Roads Southern Division Report to Ards and North Down Borough Council Annual Report 25/26 (Department for Infrastructure)

Bedford Street Developments Limited Directors' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for the Economy)

McAleer & Rushe and Dunloe Ewart (MRDE) Limited: Directors' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department for the Economy)

The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Budget for 2026-30: Report for Assembly Members (Northern Ireland Assembly Commission)(Withdrawn)