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:

Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr Harry Harvey
Ms Connie Egan
Mr Jon Burrows
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Pat Sheehan
Miss Michelle McIlveen
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr David Brooks
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mrs Michelle Guy

3. Speaker’s Business

3.1 Speaker

The Speaker informed Members that he would not be in the Chamber on Monday 16 March as he was undertaking engagements in the United States.

4. Public Petition

Protection of Christianity and Christian Ethos within our Schools

Mr David Brooks was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on the Protection of Christianity and Christian Ethos within our Schools.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Residents’ Parking Zones

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding Residents’ Parking Zones, following which she replied to questions.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Motion: The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026

Proposed:

That the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The sitting suspended at 12.57pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7.2 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

8.1 Motion: The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 (cont’d)

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: The Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community consent (Division 2).

The Speaker took the Chair.

8.3 Motion: The Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Rates (Temporary Rebate) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8.4 Motion: The Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Rates (Exemption for Automatic Telling Machines in Rural Areas) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8.5 Final Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved that the Final Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27) passed Final Stage with cross-community support (Division 3).

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8.6 Motion: The Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8.7 Motion: Accelerated Passage – Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27)

Proposed:

That the Hospital Parking Charges Bill proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community support.

8.8 Second Stage: Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27)

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, moved the Second Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27) passed Second Stage (Division 4).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

 
9. Private Members’ Business

9.1 Motion: Blocking of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed:

That this Assembly strongly condemns the blocking of the establishment of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) by the Democratic Unionist Party; further condemns the hypocrisy of those who express concern over the Lough Neagh crisis, the illegal dump at Mobuoy and wider environmental degradation, but refuse to support plans to enhance environmental accountability and safeguards; notes that a commitment to an IEPA was contained within the New Decade, New Approach Deal; agrees that it is undemocratic for an IEPA to be unilaterally vetoed by one party which represents a minority in the Assembly as a whole; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to take meaningful steps to ensure that the commitment in New Decade, New Approach is implemented.

Mr John Blair
Mr Eóin Tennyson

Amendment:

After ‘New Decade, New Approach Deal;’ insert:

‘regrets that this commitment was not reaffirmed as part of the restoration of the Executive in February 2024, or included in the Executive’s Programme for Government;’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Daniel McCrossan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment fell (Division 5).

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

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Aoife Finnegan spoke to her topic regarding the Reopening of Slieve Gullion Cairn.

The Assembly adjourned at 9.59pm.

Mr Edwin Poots

The Speaker
10 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

10 March 2026 – Division 1

Motion: The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026

Proposed:

That the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 49
Noes: 30

AYES

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, 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, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Dickson, Mrs Guy.

NOES

Mr Allen, 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 Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Bradley, Mr Butler.

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

10 March 2026 – Division 2

Motion: The Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the Rates (Regional Rates) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 be affirmed.

Minister of Finance

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 67
Noes: 9

AYES

NATIONALIST:

Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

UNIONIST:

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, 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, 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 Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

OTHER:

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Dolan, Ms Forsythe.

NOES

NATIONALIST:

Mr Durkan, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr O'Toole.

UNIONIST:

Mr Gaston.

OTHER:

Mr Carroll.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Durkan, Mr McNulty.

Total Votes                  76 Total Ayes            67 [88.2%]
Nationalist Votes         30 Nationalist Ayes  23 [76.7%]
Unionist Votes             30 Unionist Ayes      29 [96.7%]
Other Votes                  16 Other Ayes          15 [93.8%]

Votes cast by proxy:

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

The motion was carried with cross-community support.

Northern Ireland Assembly

10 March 2026 – Division 3

Final Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27)

Minister of Finance

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 64
Noes: 2

AYES

NATIONALIST:

Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

UNIONIST:

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, 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 Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

OTHER:

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Guy, Miss McAllister, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Boylan, Mrs Dillon.

NOES

UNIONIST:

Mr Gaston.

OTHER:

Mr Carroll.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Carroll, Mr Gaston. 

Total Votes               66 Total Ayes                64 [97.0%]
Nationalist Votes      22 Nationalist Ayes      22 [100.0%]
Unionist Votes          29 Unionist Ayes          28 [96.6%]
Other Votes              15 Other Ayes               14 [93.3%]

Votes cast by proxy:

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

The motion was carried with cross-community support.

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

10 March 2026 – Division 4

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

Minister of Health

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 39
Noes: 29

AYES

Dr Aiken, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Dr Aiken, Mr Chambers.

NOES

Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gaston, Mr Gildernew, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Carroll, Mr McNulty.

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

10 March 2026 – Division 5

Amendment: Blocking of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed:

After ‘New Decade, New Approach Deal;’ insert:
‘regrets that this commitment was not reaffirmed as part of the restoration of the Executive in February 2024, or included in the Executive’s Programme for Government;’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Daniel McCrossan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 21
Noes: 26

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Guy, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, 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, Ms Bunting, 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 Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee.

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

10 March 2026 – Division 6

Motion: Blocking of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency

Proposed:

That this Assembly strongly condemns the blocking of the establishment of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) by the Democratic Unionist Party; further condemns the hypocrisy of those who express concern over the Lough Neagh crisis, the illegal dump at Mobuoy and wider environmental degradation, but refuse to support plans to enhance environmental accountability and safeguards; notes that a commitment to an IEPA was contained within the New Decade, New Approach Deal; agrees that it is undemocratic for an IEPA to be unilaterally vetoed by one party which represents a minority in the Assembly as a whole; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to take meaningful steps to ensure that the commitment in New Decade, New Approach is implemented.

Mr John Blair
Mr Eóin Tennyson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44
Noes: 23

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, 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, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Kelly, 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, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Blair, Mr Dickson.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, 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 Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mr Brownlee.

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 10 March 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/46 The Public Service Pensions Revaluation Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Finance)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Fifty-ninth Report (NIA 156/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

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 March 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills