Minutes of Proceedings

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 16 September 2025

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:

Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Gary Middleton
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Gerry Kelly
Mrs Diane Dodds
Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr David Brooks
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Gerry Carroll
Ms Claire Sugden
Ms Aoife Finnegan


3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 Funding for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Capital Investment

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding Funding for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Capital Investment, following which he replied to questions.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

3.2 Olympic Legacy Fund

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the Olympic Legacy Fund, following which he replied to questions.


4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Second Stage: Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill (NIA Bill 17/22-27)

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, moved the Second Stage of the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill (NIA Bill 17/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The sitting stood suspended at 12.58pm.

The sitting 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.


6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Second Stage: Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill (NIA Bill 17/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

The Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill (NIA Bill 17/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.


7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion: Bonfire Regulation

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that this summer has again seen illegal and unregulated bonfires on contaminated land, placed dangerously close to hospitals, and used as platforms for racist and sectarian displays; further notes that the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition report set out a framework to regulate bonfires including limits on the materials that can be used, the distance that bonfires can be placed from physical structures and the prevention of flags, emblems, election posters being displayed and burnt; and calls for the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations to put in place bonfire regulations that prevents threats to public safety, pollution to the environment and attempts to spread hate.

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Miss Deirdre Hargey


Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7.2 Motion: Sectarian and Racist Intimidation from Homes

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns all sectarian and racist attacks on individuals and their homes; recognises the need for elected representatives to speak clearly and unequivocally on behalf of the victims and to be responsible in the language they use in the aftermath of such attacks; expresses frustration at the ongoing delay by the Executive Office to bring forward a refreshed Good Relations Strategy as a successor to Together: Building a United Community to address sectarianism and racism through a whole-community approach; acknowledges that there is a housing crisis which requires urgent cross-departmental interventions to remove barriers to building more social and affordable homes; and calls on the Minister for Communities to outline what specific action his Department is undertaking to focus resources to deliver housing for all based on the Community Safety Framework designed to protect people being targeted in their own homes.

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Sian Mulholland
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Stewart Dickson

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker


Mr John Blair spoke to his topic regarding the Reinstatement and Extension of the Knockmore Line to Belfast International Airport.

The Assembly adjourned at 7.58pm.


Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
16 September 2025

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

16 September 2025 – Division

Motion: Bonfire Regulation

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that this summer has again seen illegal and unregulated bonfires on contaminated land, placed dangerously close to hospitals, and used as platforms for racist and sectarian displays; further notes that the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition report set out a framework to regulate bonfires including limits on the materials that can be used, the distance that bonfires can be placed from physical structures and the prevention of flags, emblems, election posters being displayed and burnt; and calls for the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations to put in place bonfire regulations that prevents threats to public safety, pollution to the environment and attempts to spread hate.

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Miss Deirdre Hargey


The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 46

Noes: 31

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, 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 Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, 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, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.
Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.


Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Ms Kate Nicholl arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 31 March 2025 to 28 December 2025.

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

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 16 September 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly


2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly


3. Orders in Council


4. Statutory Rules

For Information Only

SR 2025/144 The Cycle Routes (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/145 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/146 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/147 The Parking Places on Roads, Loading Bay and Waiting Restrictions (Newcastle) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)


5. Legislative Consent Memorandums


6. Assembly Reports


7. Written Ministerial Statements


8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

NIEA Regulatory Fees and Charges 2025-2026: The Radioactive Substances (Fees and Charges) Scheme (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs)


9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Press Recognition Panel Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Press Recognition Panel)

 

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 16 September 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

Title &
NIA Bill Number

First
Stage

Second Stage

Comm. Stage to Conclude

Report Ordered to be Printed

CS

FCS

Final Stage

Royal Assent

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 01/22-27)

19/02/24

19/02/24

/

/

20/02/24

20/02/24

20/02/24

14/03/24

Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 02/22-27)

15/04/24

16/04/24

/

/

23/04/24

29/04/24

07/05/24

16/05/24

Defective Premises Bill (NIA Bill 03/22-27)

20/05/24

03/06/24

/

/

11/06/24

18/06/24

02/07/24

20/09/24

Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27)

20/05/24

03/06/24

08/11/24

07/11/24

28/01/25

18/02/25

03/03/25

18/06/25

Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27)

17/06/24

25/06/24

13/12/24

28/11/24

24/02/25

18/03/25

08/04/25

23/06/25

Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 06/22-27)

01/07/24

02/07/24

/

/

09/09/24

16/09/24

23/09/24

18/10/24

Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

17/09/24

01/10/24

27/03/26

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27)

25/11/24

03/12/24

23/05/25

23/05/25

09/06/25

17/06/25

 

 

Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

10/02/25

18/02/25

13/02/26

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27)

17/02/25

18/02/25

/

/

24/02/25

25/02/25

25/02/25

06/03/25

School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill (NIA Bill 12/22-27)

18/02/25

03/03/25

30/08/25

03/07/25

15/09/25

 

 

 

Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)

25/03/25

07/04/25

01/10/25

 

 

 

 

 

Budget Bill (NIA Bill 14/22-27)

03/06/25

09/06/25

/

/

10/06/25

16/06/25

16/06/25

28/07/25

Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15/22-27)

16/06/25

24/06/25

30/09/25

 

 

 

 

 

Adult Protection Bill (NIA Bill 16/22-27)

17/06/25

30/06/25

27/03/26

 

 

 

 

 

Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill (NIA Bill 17/22-27)

23/06/25

16/09/25

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27)

23/06/25

01/07/25

07/10/25

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27)

23/06/25

01/07/25

07/10/25

 

 

 

 

 

Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27)

23/06/25

01/07/25

12/12/25

 

 

 

 

 

Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27)

23/06/25

01/07/25

07/10/25

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

Title &
NIA Bill Number

First
Stage

Second Stage

Comm. Stage to Conclude

Report Ordered to be Printed

CS

FCS

Final Stage

Royal Assent

Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27)

04/02/25

17/02/25

16/05/25

08/04/25

13/05/25

03/06/25

16/06/25

 


/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage