Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Speaker

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker would not be in the Chamber as he was unwell.

2.2 Royal Assent

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that Royal Assent was signified to both the Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025, and the Agriculture Act (Northern Ireland) 2025 on 16th September 2025.

2.3 Deputy Chairperson Appointment

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker had received notification from the nominating officer for the Democratic Unionist Party that Ms Diane Forsythe had been appointed as Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, with effect from 16th September 2025.

3. Matters of the Day

3.1 British Government's Recognition of the Palestinian State

Mr Gerry Carroll, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the British Government's Recognition of the Palestinian State. 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 Pat Sheehan
Mr Phillip Brett
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Jon Burrows
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Paul Frew
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Stephen Dunne
Ms Diane Forsythe

5. Ministerial Statements

5.1 Closure of the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme
The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, made a statement regarding the Closure of the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Opposition Business

6.1 Motion: A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses regret that the Minister for Infrastructure and Executive colleagues failed to take the necessary actions to ensure that the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme could withstand legal challenge; and calls on the Executive to ensure that the A5 scheme begins construction by the end of this Assembly mandate.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:

‘acknowledges that the Minister for Infrastructure and Executive colleagues worked together to address the recommendations following the Planning Appeals Commission A5 Inquiry; welcomes the Department for Infrastructure serving a Notice of Appeal against the A5 judgment; further welcomes the confirmation by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that his Department intends to apply to the court to formally intervene in the appeal; recognises the steadfast commitment of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign and the many families tragically bereaved as a result of collisions on the A5; and calls on the Executive to ensure that the A5 scheme begins construction by the end of this Assembly mandate.’

Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr Declan McAleer
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Cathal Boylan

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Infrastructure’ and insert:

‘failed to take the necessary actions to ensure that the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme could withstand legal challenge; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to present proposals to the Executive to amend aspirational net zero targets, ensuring major infrastructure projects are not stymied and construction of an agreed A5 scheme begins as soon as possible; further calls on the Minister of Finance to urgently commit to providing fair compensation to affected landowners for loss of income and costs of reinstatement; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure, notwithstanding the Notice of Appeal against the A5 judgment, to implement fresh road safety measures on the A5 in order to prevent further loss of life.’

Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Stephen Dunne

Amendment 3:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Infrastructure’ and insert:

‘failed to take the necessary actions to ensure that the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme could withstand legal challenge; calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to make saving lives on this road the absolute priority, while also treating landowners fairly and respectfully and to put in place other road safety measures and better public-transport options for the North West if the A5 faces further delays; and further calls on the Minister to ensure that commencement of an agreed legally compliant A5 scheme begins as soon as possible and to set out clearly how the project will stay within the carbon-budget limits required by law.’

Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr John Stewart

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Principal Deputy 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.

8. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Southern Trust: IT Outage

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Linda Dillon.

8.2 Personal Independence Payment Applications: Data Breach

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Colm Gildernew.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

9. Opposition Business (cont’d)

9.1 Motion: A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell (Division 1).

The Question being put, amendment 2 fell (Division 2).

The Question being put, amendment 3 was made (Division 3).

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

10. Assembly Business

10.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 22 September 2025 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 22 September 2025 be extended to no later than 9.30pm.

Business Committee

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

11. Opposition Business (cont’d)

11.1 Motion: The Executive’s Approach to Hate

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the continued high occurrence of racist and sectarian motivated hate crime witnessed throughout Northern Ireland; believes the response from the Executive has been inadequate; and calls on the Executive to combat all forms of hate crime by introducing hate crime legislation by the end of this Assembly mandate, undertaking an immediate review of the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime programme and providing additional resources to the courts and PSNI.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Northern Ireland’ and insert:

‘notes the recent Executive commitment to working in partnership with the PSNI, civic leaders, community organisations and statutory bodies to ensure that our streets, neighbourhoods, and communities reflect the values of equality and respect; calls on the Minister of Justice to detail, and consult on, her plans to include a statutory aggravation offence model for hate crime in sentencing legislation due to be introduced during this Assembly mandate; and further calls on the Minister to provide additional resources to the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service, PSNI, and the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime programme.’

Mr Paul Frew
Mr Trevor Clarke

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘inadequate;’ and insert:

‘recognises that tackling hate and building safe, inclusive communities requires a whole-society approach; and calls on the Executive to combat all forms of hate crime by supporting the relevant provisions in the pending Sentencing Bill and Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, supporting the work undertaken across the statutory and community sector under the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, and providing additional resources to the justice system.’

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Ms Connie Egan
Ms Sian Mulholland
Ms Kellie Armstrong

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell (Division 4).

The Question being put, amendment 2 was made (Division 5).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 6).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

11.2 Motion: Access to CAR-T Cell Therapy

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with sadness the recent passing of young Armagh mother Catherine Sherry in King’s College Hospital, London, where she was receiving CAR-T cell therapy for lymphoma; recognises the urgent need for equitable access to CAR-T cell therapy in Northern Ireland; calls on the Minister of Health to urgently deliver a local service to avoid the separation of sick patients from their families, and the complications and costs associated with travel for treatment in England or Scotland; and further calls on the Minister to work, in the interim, with his counterpart in Dublin to ensure that CAR-T cell therapy is available to patients from Northern Ireland on the island of Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.07 pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

22 September 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Ms Kate Nicholl arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 31 March 2025 to 28 December 2025.

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. 

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 1

Amendment 1 - A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Assembly’ and insert:

‘acknowledges that the Minister for Infrastructure and Executive colleagues worked together to address the recommendations following the Planning Appeals Commission A5 Inquiry; welcomes the Department for Infrastructure serving a Notice of Appeal against the A5 judgment; further welcomes the confirmation by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs that his Department intends to apply to the court to formally intervene in the appeal; recognises the steadfast commitment of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign and the many families tragically bereaved as a result of collisions on the A5; and calls on the Executive to ensure that the A5 scheme begins construction by the end of this Assembly mandate.’

Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr Declan McAleer
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Cathal Boylan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 38

Noes: 38

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Ms O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Brogan, Mr McHugh.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mr Durkan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Miss McIlveen, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr O'Toole, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McCrossan, Ms McLaughlin.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 2

Amendment 2 - A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Infrastructure’ and insert:

‘failed to take the necessary actions to ensure that the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme could withstand legal challenge; calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to present proposals to the Executive to amend aspirational net zero targets, ensuring major infrastructure projects are not stymied and construction of an agreed A5 scheme begins as soon as possible; further calls on the Minister of Finance to urgently commit to providing fair compensation to affected landowners for loss of income and costs of reinstatement; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure, notwithstanding the Notice of Appeal against the A5 judgment, to implement fresh road safety measures on the A5 in order to prevent further loss of life.’

Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Stephen Dunne

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 22

Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Harvey, Mr Martin.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, 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, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Durkan, Ms McLaughlin.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 3

Amendment 3 - A5 Western Transport Corridor Scheme

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Infrastructure’ and insert:

‘failed to take the necessary actions to ensure that the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme could withstand legal challenge; calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to make saving lives on this road the absolute priority, while also treating landowners fairly and respectfully and to put in place other road safety measures and better public-transport options for the North West if the A5 faces further delays; and further calls on the Minister to ensure that commencement of an agreed legally compliant A5 scheme begins as soon as possible and to set out clearly how the project will stay within the carbon-budget limits required by law.’

Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr John Stewart

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45

Noes: 32

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mr Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Burrows, Mr Butler.

NOES

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, 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, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McGrath, Mr McNulty.

The amendment was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 4

Amendment 1 - The Executive's Approach to Hate

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Northern Ireland’ and insert:

‘notes the recent Executive commitment to working in partnership with the PSNI, civic leaders, community organisations and statutory bodies to ensure that our streets, neighbourhoods, and communities reflect the values of equality and respect; calls on the Minister of Justice to detail, and consult on, her plans to include a statutory aggravation offence model for hate crime in sentencing legislation due to be introduced during this Assembly mandate; and further calls on the Minister to provide additional resources to the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service, PSNI, and the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime programme.’

Mr Paul Frew
Mr Trevor Clarke

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27

Noes: 46

AYES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Frew, Mr Kingston.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, 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, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms McLaughlin, Mr O'Toole.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 5

Amendment 2 - The Executive's Approach to Hate

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘inadequate;’ and insert:

‘recognises that tackling hate and building safe, inclusive communities requires a whole-society approach; and calls on the Executive to combat all forms of hate crime by supporting the relevant provisions in the pending Sentencing Bill and Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, supporting the work undertaken across the statutory and community sector under the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, and providing additional resources to the justice system.’

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Ms Connie Egan
Ms Sian Mulholland
Ms Kellie Armstrong

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 39

Noes: 27

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Ms O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Mathison, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Frew, Mr Kingston.

The amendment was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

22 September 2025 – Division 6

Motion as amended: The Executive's Approach to Hate

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the continued high occurrence of racist and sectarian motivated hate crime witnessed throughout Northern Ireland; believes the response from the Executive has been inadequate; recognises that tackling hate and building safe, inclusive communities requires a whole-society approach; and calls on the Executive to combat all forms of hate crime by supporting the relevant provisions in the pending Sentencing Bill and Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill, supporting the work undertaken across the statutory and community sector under the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, and providing additional resources to the justice system.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45

Noes: 21

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, 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, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McCrossan, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Frew, Mr Kingston.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 17 September 2025 to 22 September 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025

Agriculture Act (Northern Ireland) 2025

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/148 The Carneyhaugh Business Park, Newry (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure )

SR 2025/149 The Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

SR 2025/150 The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still Births) (Extension) (No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Finance)

SR 2025/151 The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report on the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (Committee for Finance) (NIA 116/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels (Minister of Education)

Department of Health Proposals on a Duty of Candour Bill for Northern Ireland (Minister of Health)

Tier 1 National Pandemic Exercise: PEGASUS (First Minister and deputy First Minister)

Southern Trust IT Outage (Minister of Health)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board Annual Report 2024-25 (The Executive Office)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Partnership Agreement between The Executive Office (TEO) and The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) (The Executive Office)