Minutes of Proceedings

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:

Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Miss Jemma Dolan
Mr Gareth Wilson
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Maolíosa McHugh

3. Public Petition

Build the Knockbreda Road Crossing

Mr Matthew O’Toole was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition to Build the Knockbreda Road Crossing.

4. Opposition Business

4.1 Motion: Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister are joint and equal in authority and responsibility; acknowledges that the difference in titles is a historical anomaly, made at the request of a unionist party; agrees that the current titles entrench division, frequently detract political attention from matters of real importance, and are against the true meaning of the Good Friday Agreement; notes that several holders of the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister have called for the titles to be changed to reflect their joint nature; and believes that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister should be equalised ahead of the next Assembly election.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘responsibility;’ and insert:

‘believes that altering the titles alone does not address the deeper structural issues within our institutions requiring reform; notes that public confidence in devolved government depends on stability and delivery aided by the implementation of a meaningful package of reforms rather than dealing with issues in isolation; and expresses its support for the work of Assembly and Executive Review Committee in considering options for substantive structural reforms which would strengthen accountability and ensure that the Assembly and Executive can better deliver for all communities.’

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Pat Sheehan
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

The Question being put, the amendment fell.

The sitting was suspended at 1.51pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker took the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

5.2 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Opposition Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles (cont’d)

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 1).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6.2 Motion: SEN Reform and Classroom Assistant Provision

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the vital role classroom assistants play in supporting children’s learning, inclusion and well-being across our education system; notes proposals by the Education Authority and the Department of Education, as part of wider special educational needs reform, to move away from models of one-to-one pupil support; acknowledges the concerns raised by parents, classroom assistants, trade unions and education professionals about the direction and pace of these changes, and the potential impact on vulnerable pupils; believes this is another example of the Minister of Education pressing ahead with significant change without securing the confidence of families or the workforce; and calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that any reform improves outcomes for children and young people, strengthens terms and conditions, properly values the classroom assistant workforce, and is fully resourced.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘well-being across our education system’ and insert:

‘;expresses concern that with more than 12,500 special educational needs (SEN) classroom assistants already employed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit, as well as retain, appropriately qualified staff; notes proposals by the Education Authority and the Department of Education, as part of wider special educational needs reform, to move away from models based predominantly of one-to-one pupil support toward small group provision, specialist therapeutic input, and more flexible school budgets for SEN; acknowledges the concerns raised by some parents, classroom assistants, trade unions and education professionals about the direction and pace of these changes, and the potential impact on vulnerable pupils; believes this is another example of the Education Authority and Minister of Education taking difficult and evidence-led decisions to reform our education system and improve outcomes; and calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that any reform improves outcomes for children and young people, strengthens terms and conditions, properly values the classroom assistant workforce, and is fully resourced.’

Mr David Brooks
Mr Peter Martin

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment fell (Division 2).
The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6.3 Motion: The All-Island Economy

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that stronger north-south economic cooperation delivers practical benefits for workers, businesses and communities, and makes economic sense irrespective of constitutional preference; regrets that effective cross-border economic cooperation has not been consistently prioritised by the Executive, including by key departments such as the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for the Economy and the Department of Finance; acknowledges that barriers to cross-border economic cooperation have had negative impacts across the island of Ireland; and calls on the Executive to work with the Irish Government to prioritise enhanced cooperation on strategic infrastructure, including rail, energy networks and digital connectivity, strengthen cooperation on skills and labour-market alignment, and establish an all-island economic task force to drive delivery on agreed economic priorities.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘has not been consistently prioritised’ and insert:

‘by all ministers; acknowledges that barriers to cross-border economic cooperation have had negative impacts across the island of Ireland; calls on all Executive Ministers to work with their Ministerial counterparts on the island to prioritise enhanced cooperation on strategic infrastructure, including rail, energy networks, digital connectivity, skills and labour market alignment, arts and creative industries, tackling academic underachievement; and further calls for the establishment of an all-island economic task force to drive delivery on agreed economic priorities.’

Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney
Miss Jemma Dolan

Debate ensued.

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

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 4).

7. Executive Committee Business

7.1 First Stage: Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27)

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, introduced a Bill to further postpone the ban under the Hospital Parking Charges Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 on charging money for parking vehicles in hospital car parks.

The Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.17pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker

9 March 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

9 March 2026 – Division 1

Motion: Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Proposed:

That this this Assembly recognises that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister are joint and equal in authority and responsibility; acknowledges that the difference in titles is a historical anomaly, made at the request of a unionist party; agrees that the current titles entrench division, frequently detract political attention from matters of real importance, and are against the true meaning of the Good Friday Agreement; notes that several holders of the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister have called for the titles to be changed to reflect their joint nature; and believes that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister should be equalised ahead of the next Assembly election.

Leader of the opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 29
Noes: 21

AYES

Mr Allen, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mr Gaston, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Toole, Mr Tennyson.

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

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Mr Kingston.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 March 2026 – Division 2

Amendment: SEN Reform and Classroom Assistant Provision

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘well-being across our education system’ and insert:

‘;expresses concern that with more than 12,500 special educational needs (SEN) classroom assistants already employed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit, as well as retain, appropriately qualified staff; notes proposals by the Education Authority and the Department of Education, as part of wider special educational needs reform, to move away from models based predominantly of one-to-one pupil support toward small group provision, specialist therapeutic input, and more flexible school budgets for SEN; acknowledges the concerns raised by some parents, classroom assistants, trade unions and education professionals about the direction and pace of these changes, and the potential impact on vulnerable pupils; believes this is another example of the Education Authority and Minister of Education taking difficult and evidence-led decisions to reform our education system and improve outcomes; and calls on the Minister of Education to ensure that any reform improves outcomes for children and young people, strengthens terms and conditions, properly values the classroom assistant workforce, and is fully resourced.’

Mr David Brooks
Mr Peter Martin

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 21
Noes: 53

AYES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brooks, Mr Martin.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gaston, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Durkan, Mr McCrossan.

The amendment fell.

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

9 March 2026 – Division 3

Amendment: The All-Island Economy

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘has not been consistently prioritised’ and insert:

‘by all ministers; acknowledges that barriers to cross-border economic cooperation have had negative impacts across the island of Ireland; calls on all Executive Ministers to work with their Ministerial counterparts on the island to prioritise enhanced cooperation on strategic infrastructure, including rail, energy networks, digital connectivity, skills and labour market alignment, arts and creative industries, tackling academic underachievement; and further calls for the establishment of an all-island economic task force to drive delivery on agreed economic priorities.’

Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney
Miss Jemma Dolan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 39
Noes: 33

AYES

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

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Miss Dolan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, 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 Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Miss McIlveen, Ms McLaughlin, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr O'Toole, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Martin, Ms McLaughlin.

The amendment was made.

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

9 March 2026 – Division 4

Motion (As amended): The All-Island Economy

Proposed:

That this this Assembly recognises that stronger north-south economic cooperation delivers practical benefits for workers, businesses and communities, and makes economic sense irrespective of constitutional preference; regrets that effective cross-border economic cooperation has not been consistently prioritised by all ministers; acknowledges that barriers to cross-border economic cooperation have had negative impacts across the island of Ireland; calls on all Executive Ministers to work with their Ministerial counterparts on the island to prioritise enhanced cooperation on strategic infrastructure, including rail, energy networks, digital connectivity, skills and labour market alignment, arts and creative industries, tackling academic underachievement; and further calls for the establishment of an all-island economic task force to drive delivery on agreed economic priorities.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45
Noes: 27

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, 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, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Ms McLaughlin.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Forsythe, Mr Harvey.

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 4 March 2026 to 9 March 2026

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/40 The Malone Road, Belfast (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/41 The Drumnagoon Road, Portadown (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/42 The Quay Pass, Enniskillen (Abandonment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/43 The Pension Protection Fund and Occupational Pension Schemes (Levy Ceiling) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)
SR 2026/44 The Social Security and Statutory Maternity Pay (Evidence of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

SR 2026/45 The Rates (Small Business Hereditament Relief) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Finance)

Draft SR 2026/XXX The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)

For Information Only

SR 2026/34 The Judgment Enforcement Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)

SR 2026/35 The Court of Judicature (Non-Contentious Probate) Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)

SR 2026/36 The County Court Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)

SR 2026/37 The Magistrates’ Courts Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)

SR 2026/38 The Family Proceedings Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)

SR 2026/39 The Court of Judicature Fees (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Justice)
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum Crime and Policing Bill (Department of Justice)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

The Northern Ireland Football Fund Programme Update (Minister for Communities)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Draft SI 2026/XXX The Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (Department of Health)

Special Measures in Northern Ireland’s Criminal Courts: An inspection of
their use and operation (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Partnership Agreement between The Executive Office (TEO) and Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation (MLKDC) (The Executive Office) – REVISED

Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland for 2024: A Report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)