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
Mrs Julie Middleton
Mr John Blair
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Peter Martin
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Timothy Gaston

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, moved the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27).

132 amendments were selected for debate.

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

4. Question Time

4.1 Health

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

5. Speaker’s Business

5.1 The Speaker made some remarks on the Consideration Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill, following previous points of order made by Members on the selection of amendments.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

Clauses

After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 2 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 1).

After debate, Amendment 6 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 7 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 8 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 9 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 10 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 11 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 2).

After debate, Amendment 12 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 3).

After debate, Amendment 13 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 4).

After debate, Amendment 14 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 15 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 16 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 17 to Clause 1 was made without division.

Amendment 18 was not called.

Amendment 19 was not called.

Amendment 20 was not called.

Amendment 21 was not called.

After debate, Amendment 22 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 23 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 5).

After debate, Amendment 24 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 6).

After debate, Amendment 25 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 26 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 27 to Clause 1 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 28 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 7).

After debate, Amendment 29 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 8).

Amendment 30 was not called.

The sitting was suspended at 5.48pm and resumed at 6.31pm, the Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, in the Chair.

Amendment 31 was not called.

After debate, Amendment 32 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 9).

Amendment 33 was not called.

After debate, Amendment 34 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 10).

After debate, Amendment 35 to Clause 1 was negatived on division (Division 11).

After debate, Amendment 36 to Clause 1 was made without division.

Amendment 37 was not called.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 1, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 38 inserting new clause ‘Duty to provide information to persons whose biometric data is taken’ was negatived on division (Division 12).

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 39 to Clause 3 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 3, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 40 inserting new clause ‘Retention, use and destruction of photographs’ was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) was suspended until Monday 8 June 2026.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.47pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
2 June 2026

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

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

2 June 2026 – Division 1

Amendment 5 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 4

Leave out line 9 to line 15 on page 6

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27
Noes: 47

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Dillon, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMurray, Ms Nicholl.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 2

Amendment 11 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 6, Line 17

At end insert ‘, and P is aged 18 or over at the time of the offence.’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 47

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Ferguson, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMurray, Ms Nicholl.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 3

Amendment 12 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed

Clause 1, Page 6, Line 21

At end insert –

‘Persons aged under 18 convicted of a qualifying offence or, in exceptional circumstances, a recordable offence other than a qualifying offence

63JA.—(1) This Article applies where—

(a) P is convicted of a qualifying offence, or

(b) P is convicted of a recordable offence other than a qualifying offence and paragraph 2) applies, and P was aged under 18 at the time of the offence.

(2) This paragraph applies if, in accordance with the procedure to be prescribed in regulations under this Article—

(a) the Chief Constable makes an application to the Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Retention of Biometric Material for a determination about the continued retention of P’s material beyond the day on which it would otherwise be required to be destroyed, and

(b) the Commissioner determines that exceptional circumstances apply which warrant the retention of the material in the public interest.

(3) P’s material may be retained until the end of the period of 3 years (“the last retention date”) beginning with the date on which P is convicted of the offence in question.

(4) Where the Commissioner has made a determination under paragraph (5), P’s material may be retained—

(a) until the end of a further period of two years beginning with the day following the last retention date (ending on “the last extended retention date”), or

(b) if the material has been retained under paragraph (a), for a further period of two years beginning with the day after the last extended retention date.

(5) If, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in regulations under this Article, the Chief Constable makes an application to the Commissioner before the last retention date (or the last extended retention date as the case may be), the Commissioner may determine that exceptional circumstances apply which warrant the continued retention of the material in the public interest.

(6) If an application is made to the Commissioner for a determination under paragraph (2)(a) or (5) and (apart from this paragraph) the material would be required under Article 63F to be destroyed before the Commissioner has made a determination, the material may be retained until the Commissioner has decided whether to make a determination.

(7) See also Article 63N regarding the application of this Article where P is convicted outside Northern Ireland.’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 47

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Finnegan, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Mathison, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 4

Amendment 13 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 6

Leave out line 38 to line 15 on page 8

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 47

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Finnegan, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Mathison, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 5

Amendment 23 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 8

Leave out line 37 to line 3 on page 9

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Ferguson, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Bradshaw, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 6

Amendment 24 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 9

Leave out lines 4 to 33

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Bradshaw, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 7

Amendment 28 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 9

Leave out lines 34 to 40

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 8

Amendment 29 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 12, Line 24

At end insert—

‘(4A) The Department of Justice must in regulations make provision—

(a) requiring the Chief Constable, following a review under paragraph (2), to notify P of the fact that a review has been conducted and of the determination that has been made;

(b) conferring on P a right of appeal against a determination to retain P’s material under paragraph (2) and about the procedure on such appeals (including the payment of fees and the duty to notify P of the right to appeal);

(c) disqualifying any member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for determining an appeal under paragraph (b);

(d) requiring the Chief Constable to notify P of the right to apply for confirmation that P’s material has been destroyed and to provide P with information about the application procedure.’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 9

Amendment 32 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 13, Line 19

At end insert—
‘(e) disqualifying any member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland for determining an appeal under paragraph (d).’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Ferguson, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Dickson, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 10

Amendment 34 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 16, Line 22

Leave out ‘may’ and insert ‘must’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 25
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Finnegan, Mrs Mason.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Dickson, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 11

Amendment 35 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 1, Page 16, Line 27

At end insert—

‘(5A) Guidance issued under paragraph (5) must set out the information that a custody officer should provide in writing to P and to P’s solicitor, parent, guardian or appropriate adult, before P’s biometric material is taken, including—

     (a) the maximum period for which P’s material may be retained, and

     (b) the circumstances in which P has a right to appeal against a determination made on a review of the retention of P’s material and the procedure for such appeals.’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Dolan, Ms Sheerin.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Honeyford, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

2 June 2026 – Division 12

Amendment 38 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

New Clause

After clause 1 insert –

‘Duty to provide information to persons whose biometric data is taken

1A. Before Article 64 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Destruction of fingerprints and DNA profiles: introductory) insert—

“Duty to provide information to persons whose biometric data is taken

63C.—(1) Where fingerprints, a DNA sample or a DNA profile are taken from a person under any statutory power, the responsible officer must, at the time of collection, provide that person with written information setting out—

(a) the statutory basis on which the material is being taken;

(b) the period for which the fingerprints, DNA sample or DNA profile may be retained under this Part;

(c) the circumstances in which the material must be destroyed;

(d) the person’s rights in relation to the retention and destruction of the material; and

(e) how the person may obtain further information about the retention and use of their biometric data.

(2) Where the retention period applicable to that person’s biometric material changes as a result of—

(a) the person being charged with, or convicted of, an offence;

(b) the expiry of a previous retention period;

(c) the making, renewal or expiry of a national security determination; or

(d) any other change in the person’s legal status relevant to retention under this Part, the responsible officer must as soon as reasonably practicable provide the person with written notice.

(3) The written notice must include—

(a) the change in the retention period;

(b) the new retention period; and

(c) the person’s rights in relation to the continued retention of the material.

(4) The Department may by regulations make further provision about the form, content and manner of providing information under this section.

(5) In this section “responsible officer” means—

(a) the Chief Constable, or

(b) any person authorised by the Chief Constable for the purposes of this section.

(6) Regulations under subsection (3) are subject to negative resolution.”.’

Mr Gerry Carroll

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27
Noes: 46

AYES

Mr Baker, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Mrs Ferguson.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, 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, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Honeyford, Mr McMurray.

The amendment was negatived.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Consideration Stage of Justice Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 2 June 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/101 The Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Assembly Reports

Memorandum Not Seeking Consent - Commercial Payments Bill (Department for the Economy)

6. Written Ministerial Statements

7. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

8. 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 2 June 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills