Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speakers’ Business

2.1 Minister for Communities

The Speaker informed Members that the Minister for Communities was unable to make his Ministerial statement on the launch of the public consultation on the Executive Disability Strategy due to illness.

2.2 Recent Fatal Road Incidents

The Speaker reflected on recent road traffic collisions and the need for Members to raise awareness of road safety.

3. Matters of the Day

3.1 UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report

Mr Timothy Gaston, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report. 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 Aoife Finnegan
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr David Honeyford
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Áine Murphy
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Diane Forsythe

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

Miss Nuala McAllister

5. Assembly Business

5.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Cathal Boylan replace Ms Emma Sheerin as a member of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee; that Ms Emma Sheerin replace Miss Jemma Dolan as a member of the Audit Committee; that Ms Emma Sheerin replace Miss Jemma Dolan as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges; that Miss Jemma Dolan replace Ms Emma Sheerin as a member of the Committee for the Economy; that Mr Philip McGuigan replace Mr Maolíosa McHugh as a member of the Committee on Procedures; and that Mr Maolíosa McHugh replace Miss Nicola Brogan as a member of the Committee for Infrastructure.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Philip McGuigan

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 First Stage: General Teaching Council Bill (NIA Bill 23/22-27)

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, introduced a Bill to make provision in relation to the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.

The General Teaching Council Bill (NIA Bill 23/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

 
7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 27 February 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7.2 Motion: Curriculum Mainstreaming and Strategy for Outdoor Learning in Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly commends the Committee for Education’s stakeholder engagement, partnership with Northern Ireland Forest School Association and research into outdoor education in schools; recognises the many inclusive learning and development benefits of outdoor education; further recognises the urgent need for all schools to have the opportunity to realise these benefits; and calls on the Minister of Education, by the end of 2026, to define and embed weekly, progressive and sustainable outdoor learning opportunities as a core component of the curriculum for pupils aged 3-18; and further calls on the Minister to develop, with the sector, an outdoor learning in schools strategy which regenerates this pedagogy by addressing systemic factors within the education system to do with leadership support, time, curriculum, policy and resourcing and to make it easy to go outdoors.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: Publication of the Joint Census

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the Ireland and Northern Ireland: A joint census publication 2021-22 which provides analysis across a range of topics in areas such as demographics, households, religion, ethnicity, place of birth, health, economic status, education, and housing; notes that according to the joint census publication the island's population, while growing to 7.1 million, the largest level since 1851, remains below pre-famine population levels; further notes the findings in relation to the all-island economy whereby over 18,000 workers travel both ways across the border for work on a daily basis; recognises that joint census publications can help identify shared challenges and opportunities for policy and decision making; and calls on Executive departments to take stock of these findings.

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Philip McGuigan

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘housing;’ and insert:

‘notes with concern that Northern Ireland lags behind the Republic of Ireland in several key areas, including lower population growth, poorer reported health outcomes, and a significantly higher burden of unpaid care; believes that these disparities are in large part caused by the failure of the Executive to deliver better economic, health and social outcomes; acknowledges that addressing these gaps can be helped through strengthened cooperation with the Irish Government; and calls on all Executive departments to take stock of these findings and to work in structured partnership with counterparts in the Irish Government to produce and implement clear plans that help close the gaps between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in key areas.’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Colin McGrath

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘population levels’ and insert:

‘but well above the lowest ever population levels that were recorded in 1961 which were only lower than the all-island low of 1926; further notes the findings in relation to the all-island economy whereby over 18,000 workers travel both ways across the border and a further 6,000 travel to Great Britain for work on a weekly and daily basis; recognises that joint census publications can help identify shared challenges and opportunities for policy and decision making on these islands; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to take stock of how the flow of workers throughout these islands can benefit Northern Ireland’s economy.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Jon Burrows

Debate ensued.

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

9. Question Time

9.1 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.

9.2 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt.

10. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

10.1 Supreme Court Judgment on Christian Religious Education and Collective Worship

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Timothy Gaston.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

11. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

11.1 Motion: Publication of the Joint Census (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made (Division 1).

As amendment 1 was made, the question was not put on amendment 2.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 2).

12. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.24pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

24 November 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, Miss Nicola Brogan arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mrs Sinéad Ennis) during the period 4 November 2025 to 10 August 2026.

Northern Ireland Assembly

24 November 2025 – Division 1

Amendment 1 - Publication of the Joint Census~

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘housing;’ and insert:

‘notes with concern that Northern Ireland lags behind the Republic of Ireland in several key areas, including lower population growth, poorer reported health outcomes, and a significantly higher burden of unpaid care; believes that these disparities are in large part caused by the failure of the Executive to deliver better economic, health and social outcomes; acknowledges that addressing these gaps can be helped through strengthened cooperation with the Irish Government; and calls on all Executive departments to take stock of these findings and to work in structured partnership with counterparts in the Irish Government to produce and implement clear plans that help close the gaps between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in key areas.’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Colin McGrath

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 35
Noes: 23

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McMurray, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGrath, Mr O'Toole.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston.

Amendment 1 was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

24 November 2025 – Division 2

Motion (as amended) - Publication of the Joint Census

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the Ireland and Northern Ireland: A joint census publication 2021-22 which provides analysis across a range of topics in areas such as demographics, households, religion, ethnicity, place of birth, health, economic status, education, and housing; notes with concern that Northern Ireland lags behind the Republic of Ireland in several key areas, including lower population growth, poorer reported health outcomes, and a significantly higher burden of unpaid care; believes that these disparities are in large part caused by the failure of the Executive to deliver better economic, health and social outcomes; acknowledges that addressing these gaps can be helped through strengthened cooperation with the Irish Government; and calls on all Executive departments to take stock of these findings and to work in structured partnership with counterparts in the Irish Government to produce and implement clear plans that help close the gaps between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in key areas.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 36
Noes: 23

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McMurray, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Boylan, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Forsythe, Mr Martin.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.
Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 19 November 2025 to 24 November 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

General Teaching Council Bill (NIA Bill 23/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/180 The Belvoir Road, Belfast (Stopping-Up) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/183 The Social Security (Residence in an EEA State or Switzerland) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

For Information Only

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)

SR 2025/181 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/182 The Waiting Restrictions (Portstewart) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/184 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

6. Assembly Reports

Report on Access to Palliative Care Services (NIA 130/22-27) (Committee for Health)

Report on Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2024-25 and late accounts from 2023-24 (NIA 129/22-27) (Public Accounts Committee)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Publication of the Covid-19 Module 2 Report by The Rt Hon the Baroness Hallett DBE (First Minister and deputy First Minister)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland’s An inspection of the management of organisational performance by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

Report to the Assembly on legislation for an options exercise to permit certain members in the 2015 police pension scheme (during the period 1 April 2015 until 31 March 2024) to become eligible for consideration for Ill Health Retirement under the Police Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (Department of Justice)

Registrar General Northern Ireland Annual Report 2024 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency)

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 (Department of Health)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Annual Report 13 January 2022 – 31 March 2023 (The Executive Office)

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Annual Report April 2023 – March 2024 (The Executive Office)