Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 26 January 2026
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Members’ Statements
Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Áine Murphy
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Pat Sheehan
Ms Diane Forsythe
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Daniel McCrossan
3. Ministerial Statement
3.1 North South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral Meeting
The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral meeting, following which he replied to questions.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
4. Executive Committee Business
4.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill
Proposed:
That this Assembly notes the Government’s amendments to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill made at the House of Lords Report Stage on 12 January 2026; and consents to the extension to Northern Ireland of the devolved provisions inserted by those amendments, namely clauses 10 to 12 (relating to regulation-making and consultation in respect of clause 9), and clauses 16 to 18 (relating to regulation-making and consultation in respect of clause 14).
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
5. Private Members’ Business
5.1 Motion: Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the significance of the Economic and Social Research Institute’s December 2025 report, Assessing Economic Trends in Ireland and Northern Ireland; welcomes that this will become an annual economic report produced through the Shared Island Initiative which will provide an insightful and evidence-based contribution to understanding economic and social conditions on our island; notes the positive findings within the report on increased economic growth and employment rates across the island, alongside the shared challenges relating to productivity, incomes and regional balance; further notes that the report’s review of the respective Programmes for Government from both administrations on the island identified synergies in economic policy on increasing productivity, decarbonisation and support for small businesses; acknowledges the report’s assessment that the Executive is constrained in economic policy-making due to a lack of fiscal levers being devolved; calls on all Executive Ministers to use this report to inform economic and related policy, and to support a more coordinated all-Ireland approach to economic development that advances inclusive growth, regional balance, good jobs and improved living standards for all citizens; and further calls on the British Government to work with the Minister of Finance to devolve additional revenue raising powers to allow it to support the Executive's economic policy development.
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Miss Jemma Dolan
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 1.57pm and resumed at 2.00pm, 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. Questions for Urgent Oral Answer
7.1 Minister’s Response to Committee on Standards and Privileges Report (NIA 123/22-27)
The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Matthew O’Toole.
7.2 Draft Valuation for Non-Domestic Properties
The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Phillip Brett.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
8. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)
8.1 Motion: Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland (cont’d)
Debate resumed.
The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division).
9. Assembly Business
9.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 26 January 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 26 January 2026 be extended to no later than 7.30pm.
Business Committee
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
10. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)
10.1 Motion: Artificial Intelligence and Online Violence Against Women and Girls
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the documented use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to perpetrate online violence against women and girls; condemns the creation and dissemination of non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, as a serious and escalating form of abuse; notes recent commitments by the UK Government to criminalise such activity; further notes the Department of Justice consultation on comparable proposals in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Justice to ensure that effective criminal offences, enforcement powers, and victim protections are in place no later than those in England and Wales.
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Colin McGrath
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 7.01pm.
Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
26 January 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
26 January 2026 – Division
Motion: Assessing Economic Trends on the Island of Ireland
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the significance of the Economic and Social Research Institute’s December 2025 report, Assessing Economic Trends in Ireland and Northern Ireland; welcomes that this will become an annual economic report produced through the Shared Island Initiative which will provide an insightful and evidence-based contribution to understanding economic and social conditions on our island; notes the positive findings within the report on increased economic growth and employment rates across the island, alongside the shared challenges relating to productivity, incomes and regional balance; further notes that the report’s review of the respective Programmes for Government from both administrations on the island identified synergies in economic policy on increasing productivity, decarbonisation and support for small businesses; acknowledges the report’s assessment that the Executive is constrained in economic policy-making due to a lack of fiscal levers being devolved; calls on all Executive Ministers to use this report to inform economic and related policy, and to support a more coordinated all-Ireland approach to economic development that advances inclusive growth, regional balance, good jobs and improved living standards for all citizens; and further calls on the British Government to work with the Minister of Finance to devolve additional revenue raising powers to allow it to support the Executive's economic policy development.
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Miss Jemma Dolan
Miss Deirdre Hargey
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 46
Noes: 32
AYES
Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, 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 Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Dolan, Miss Murphy.
NOES
Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.
Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Ms Forsythe.
The motion 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 21 January 2026 to 26 January 2026
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
6. Assembly Reports
Inquiry into Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC (NIA 139/22-27) (Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee)
Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill (NIA 137/22-27) (Committee for Finance)
The Northern Ireland Assembly Members’ Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts - Year ended 31 March 2025 (NIA 142/22-27) (Northern Ireland Assembly)
Report on complaints against Minister Gordon Lyons MLA (NIA 123/22-27) (Committee on Standards and Privileges)
Report on the Second Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Crime and Policing Bill (NIA 141/22-27) (Committee for Justice)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Competition and Markets Authority Draft Annual Plan 2026 to 2027 (Competition and Markets Authority)
FE College Sector (NI) Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)
Loughs Agency Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2024 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
Leading and Resourcing the Northern Ireland Civil Service (Northern Ireland Audit Office)
Environmental Improvement Plan Annual Progress Report 2024, September 2024 – September 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
