Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy 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 Ciara Ferguson
Mr Harry Harvey
Mr Stewart Dickson
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Phillip Brett
Miss Nuala McAllister
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

3. Opposition Business

3.1 Motion: Delivery of an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland

Proposed:

That this Assembly laments the failure to publish an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, promised in the Programme for Government and critical to the delivery of major infrastructure, economic development, long-term investment and job creation; expresses disappointment at the Executive’s failure to meaningfully advance pre-agreed flagship infrastructure projects, including the A5 Western Transport Corridor and Casement Park; regrets the Executive’s failure to implement the recommendations set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, or to deliver increased investment in wastewater infrastructure; rejects the efforts by some to distract from the clear failure of Executive delivery with petty rows; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to publish an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland without delay, with clear timebound delivery plans.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

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

3.2 Motion: Tackling Child Poverty

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses alarm at the rate of child poverty in Northern Ireland, with one in five children living in absolute poverty, as detailed in the Northern Ireland Poverty and Income Inequality Report 2023/24; expresses concern that the proposed Anti-Poverty Strategy will have little impact in addressing this challenge, with no new policies, no timeline for delivery and no budget; and calls on the Executive to make the eradication of child poverty a cross-departmental priority and to develop a fit for purpose Anti-Poverty Strategy, shaped by lived experience, including commitments on the creation of a new child payment, an enhanced Childcare Subsidy Scheme and enhanced provision of free school meals.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The sitting stood suspended at 1.00pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, in the Chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Communities

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

5. Opposition Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion: Tackling Child Poverty (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Closure of the Community Crisis Intervention Centre

Proposed:

That this Assembly reaffirms its commitment to tackling Northern Ireland’s growing mental health crisis; expresses regret at the recent closure of Extern’s Community Crisis Intervention Service in Foyle due to funding cuts and the lack of action taken to develop a cross-cutting approach to funding by the Executive; and calls on the Executive to adopt a person-centred approach to the budget that ensures that services such as this can continue to meet the needs of those who need them.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Colm Gildernew spoke to his topic regarding Post-19 Adult Respite Provision at Woodlawn House, Dungannon.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.41pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
14 October 2025

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.

Northern Ireland Assembly

14 October 2025 – Division

Motion - Delivery of an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland

Proposed:

That this Assembly laments the failure to publish an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland, promised in the Programme for Government and critical to the delivery of major infrastructure, economic development, long-term investment and job creation; expresses disappointment at the Executive’s failure to meaningfully advance pre-agreed flagship infrastructure projects, including the A5 Western Transport Corridor and Casement Park; regrets the Executive’s failure to implement the recommendations set out in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, or to deliver increased investment in wastewater infrastructure; rejects the efforts by some to distract from the clear failure of Executive delivery with petty rows; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to publish an Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland without delay, with clear timebound delivery plans.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 15

Noes: 25

AYES

Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Guy, Ms Hunter, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McMurray, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Toole, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Hunter, Mr McCrossan.

NOES

Mr Allen, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee.

The motion was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 14 October 2025

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

Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (The Executive Office)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Partnership Agreement between the Department for the Economy and The Open University October 2024 (Department for the Economy)

Partnership Agreement between the Department for the Economy and Stranmillis University College March 2025 (Department for the Economy)

Partnership Agreement between the Department for the Economy and St Mary's University College October 2024 (Department for the Economy)

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 14 October 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage