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 Maolíosa McHugh
Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Harry Harvey

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 44th Summit of the British-Irish Council

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly, made a statement regarding the 44th Summit of the British-Irish Council, following which she replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion: Rejecting the New EU Customs Fee on Small Parcels

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the European Union’s decision to introduce a new customs fee for small parcels from 1 July 2026; expresses alarm that if imposed on Northern Ireland, these charges will increase the cost of goods sourced from Great Britain, whilst further reducing the choice available to local businesses and consumers; highlights the folly of those parties who voted to sustain Article 5 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework in December 2024, thereby keeping Northern Ireland at the mercy of changes to the EU Customs Code; urges the UK Government to stand up for local traders by restoring sovereignty and democratic decision making over all aspects of UK trade, without further delay; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to explicitly reject the prospect of a new customs duty on parcels moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr David Brooks
Mr Phillip Brett

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.56pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: Paediatric Pathology Services

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses deep concern at the continued absence of paediatric pathology services here since 2019, resulting in the use of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for post-mortem examinations; recognises the additional emotional distress and logistical burden that travel to England places on grieving families; acknowledges that the Department of Health commissioned an independent evaluation into paediatric pathology services, accepted all 21 recommendations and is exploring the potential for all-island collaboration; and calls on the Minister of Health to urgently publish a comprehensive, implementation plan for the restoration of this essential service.

Mr Philip McGuigan
Mrs Linda Dillon
Miss Órlaithí Flynn

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Diane Forsythe spoke to her topic regarding Recurrent Flooding and Lack of Recovery Actions in South Down.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.39pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
13 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

13 January 2026 – Division

Motion: Rejecting the New EU Customs Fee on Small Parcels

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the European Union’s decision to introduce a new customs fee for small parcels from 1 July 2026; expresses alarm that if imposed on Northern Ireland, these charges will increase the cost of goods sourced from Great Britain, whilst further reducing the choice available to local businesses and consumers; highlights the folly of those parties who voted to sustain Article 5 of the Protocol/Windsor Framework in December 2024, thereby keeping Northern Ireland at the mercy of changes to the EU Customs Code; urges the UK Government to stand up for local traders by restoring sovereignty and democratic decision making over all aspects of UK trade, without further delay; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to explicitly reject the prospect of a new customs duty on parcels moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr David Brooks
Mr Phillip Brett

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 32
Noes: 48

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T 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 Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brett, Mrs Cameron.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, 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, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mrs O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Mason, Mr McMurray.

The motion was negatived.

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 13 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

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum The Crime and Policing Bill (Department of Justice)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Draft SI 2026/XXXX The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

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 13 January 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills