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 Jonathan Buckley
Ms Kellie Armstong
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Colm Gildernew
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr John Stewart
Ms Cheryl Brownlee

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Aoife Finnegan replace Mr Danny Baker on the Committee for Justice; and that Mr Danny Baker replace Ms Aoife Finnegan on the Committee on Procedures.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Philip McGuigan

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4. Ministerial Statements

4.1 North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways Sectoral Meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways Sectoral meeting, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Launch of the draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy Consultation

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding the Launch of the draft Northern Ireland Nature Recovery Strategy consultation, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion: Waiting Lists Affecting Winter Preparedness

Proposed:

That this Assembly deplores the appalling pressures being faced by both patients and staff in emergency departments; expresses particular concern that this was entirely foreseeable but that planning was not carried out early enough; expresses alarm at the ongoing failure to address hospital throughput issues identified in the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Sustainability Report 2022: special focus - Health, which contributes to the number of people being left in corridors or ambulances; recognises that those who need access to, or work in, emergency departments have been let down by a failure to take early and specific action to address waiting times; and calls for an assurance, matched by a clearly set out timeline, that winter pressures planning for 2026-27 will proceed much earlier with detailed plans published no later than the summer of 2026.

Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Danny Donnelly
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Eóin Tennyson

Amendment:

After ‘and calls’ insert:

‘on the Minister of Health to commit to stop spending public money on private healthcare companies for waiting list initiatives, and to invest directly in the health service and its workforce instead; and further calls’

Mr Gerry Carroll

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.52pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: Waiting Lists Affecting Winter Preparedness (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was negatived.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7.2 Motion: Illegal Erection of Sinn Féin Billboards

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the unlawful erection of Sinn Féin billboards in Newry and surrounding areas, including at the Egyptian Arch; notes with concern that these structures constitute a risk to public safety and were erected without the necessary permissions; believes the Department for Infrastructure’s failure to remove these displays stands in marked contrast to the approach by statutory agencies to businesses or individuals that erect signage without lawful authority or planning permission; believes the Minister for Infrastructure’s failure to resolve this situation in favour of the public interest and rule of law represents a breach of the Ministerial Code; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to instruct her Department to provide the necessary resources and authority to remove these illegal Sinn Féin displays without further delay.

Mr Gareth Wilson
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Stephen Dunne

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Emma Sheerin spoke to her topic regarding Support for Young Adults with recognised Learning Difficulties and Complex Needs in Mid-Ulster.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.24pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
20 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

20 January 2026 – Division

Motion: Illegal Erection of Sinn Féin Billboards

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the unlawful erection of Sinn Féin billboards in Newry and surrounding areas, including at the Egyptian Arch; notes with concern that these structures constitute a risk to public safety and were erected without the necessary permissions; believes the Department for Infrastructure’s failure to remove these displays stands in marked contrast to the approach by statutory agencies to businesses or individuals that erect signage without lawful authority or planning permission; believes the Minister for Infrastructure’s failure to resolve this situation in favour of the public interest and rule of law represents a breach of the Ministerial Code; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to instruct her Department to provide the necessary resources and authority to remove these illegal Sinn Féin displays without further delay.

Mr Gareth Wilson
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Stephen Dunne

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 56
Noes: 25

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, 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 Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mrs Guy, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mrs Long, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Miss McIlveen, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Toole, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Boylan, Miss Murphy.

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 20 January 2026

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/9 The Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Education)

Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority Annual Report and Accounts 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 (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 20 January 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills