Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, 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 Declan McAleer
Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Andrew McMurray
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Alan Robinson
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr David Brooks
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Paul Frew

3. Opposition Business

3.1 Motion: Breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that the recent investigation report by the Assembly Commissioner for Standards found that the Minister for Communities breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct; acknowledges that this is the second occasion on which the Minister has been found to be in breach of the Ministerial Code; believes that, as a result of this repeated failure to uphold the standards expected of public office holders, the Minister no longer commands the confidence of this Assembly; agrees that his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions represents a wider crisis of accountability in the Executive and a deeper cultural problem in our politics; recognises that the current arrangements for ministerial accountability, standards enforcement and institutional safeguards are inadequate and in need of reform; endorses a programme of institutional reform, co-facilitated by the UK and Irish Governments, to strengthen stability, improve accountability and restore public confidence in the institutions; and agrees that this Assembly will write to the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Tánaiste outlining this position.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.50pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Justice

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

5. Opposition Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion: Delivery of a 24/7 Thrombectomy Service

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that thrombectomy is a proven, life-changing stroke treatment which, when delivered promptly, reduces death and disability and delivers significant long-term savings for health and social care services; regrets that access to thrombectomy in Northern Ireland remains limited to between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm; recognises that the Stroke Action Plan published in June 2022 committed to the delivery of a 24/7 thrombectomy service by the end of 2024; is concerned that the continued absence of 24/7 provision means eligible patients are being denied access to this intervention; further notes the commitment to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy access in England by April 2026; believes that a 24/7 thrombectomy service would represent a high-impact, outcome-focused reform aligned with the Health and Social Care NI Reset Plan; and calls on the Minister of Health to set out a clear, time-bound plan to deliver a fully operational 24/7 thrombectomy service in Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Social Media Restrictions for Children and Young People

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the growing body of evidence linking social media use as a cause of harm to the mental health, wellbeing and development of children and young people; notes the increasing concern around exposure to harmful content, addictive design features and online abuse; is aware that several countries are now moving towards stronger age-based restrictions on social media platforms; acknowledges that restrictions alone are not sufficient and that a holistic approach is required, including stronger platform regulation, digital literacy, parental support and effective enforcement; further notes the British Government’s consultation on online harms and child safety; believes that proportionate restrictions should be introduced to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, alongside wider reforms to make online spaces safer; and calls on the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to introduce these measures at the earliest opportunity.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘wellbeing and development of children and young people;’ and insert:

‘acknowledges that whilst social media presents an opportunity for young people to communicate with their friends and family, there is a lack of regulation and accountability by social media platforms which is allowing young people to be exposed to harmful content, addictive design features and online abuse; further acknowledges that several governments across the world are exploring ways to better protect young people from online harms; further recognises that rather than robust regulation, an outright ban on under 16's used prematurely or in isolation could result in unintended consequences such as forcing young people onto the dark web, or trying to evade a ban through the use of virtual private networks or having their age-based identification misused or exploited; notes that the starting point for regulation must be based on holding large multi-national platforms to account for failing to remove explicit and harmful content from their platforms; and calls on the British Government to properly regulate social media platforms and to implement proportionate sanctions on those who fail to remove illegal and harmful content or prevent it being posted; and further calls on the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to look at international practice, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and broader evidence when assessing all options to regulate internet safety, including stronger platform regulation, digital literacy, parental support and effective enforcement.’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Danny Baker

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mrs Pam Cameron spoke to her topic regarding Access to GP Services within South Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.12pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
10 February 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

10 February 2026 – Division

Motion: Breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct

Proposed:

That this this Assembly notes that the recent investigation report by the Assembly Commissioner for Standards found that the Minister for Communities breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct; acknowledges that this is the second occasion on which the Minister has been found to be in breach of the Ministerial Code; believes that, as a result of this repeated failure to uphold the standards expected of public office holders, the Minister no longer commands the confidence of this Assembly; agrees that his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions represents a wider crisis of accountability in the Executive and a deeper cultural problem in our politics; recognises that the current arrangements for ministerial accountability, standards enforcement and institutional safeguards are inadequate and in need of reform; endorses a programme of institutional reform, co-facilitated by the UK and Irish Governments, to strengthen stability, improve accountability and restore public confidence in the institutions; and agrees that this Assembly will write to the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Tánaiste outlining this position.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 51
Noes: 29

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, 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, Ms Kimmins, 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 Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath.

NOES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Cameron, Mr Givan.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 10 February 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

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills

First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 10 February 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills