Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Minister of Justice

The Speaker informed Members that the Minister of Justice was unable to be in the Chamber for that day’s business and that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs would respond the relevant items of business on her behalf.

3. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Mr Danny Baker
Mr Stephen Dunne
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Timothy Gaston
Ms Claire Sugden
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Paul Frew
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Harry Harvey

4. Opposition Business

4.1 Motion: Response to the Cost-of-living Crisis

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the real and immediate pressures facing workers and businesses as a result of the United States’ illegal war with Iran; further notes that the British Government’s response has been insufficient; acknowledges that, while most taxation and fiscal powers lie with the British Government, the Northern Ireland Executive’s response has been non-existent; and calls on the Northern Ireland Executive, in conjunction with the British Government, to outline the actions it will take to alleviate pressures facing workers and businesses, including measures such as the extension of rural fuel duty relief, support for those working in domiciliary care, reduced fares for public transport and targeted support for industries that have been most affected.

Leader of the Opposition

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘lie with the British Government,’ and insert:

‘and the Executive has now agreed an enhanced support package for homes relying on heating oil, the delayed response from the Minister for Communities and Minister for the Economy has increased the pressure facing local households and businesses; and calls on the Northern Ireland Executive, in conjunction with the British Government, to outline the actions it will take to alleviate pressures facing workers and businesses, including measures such as a temporary reduction in fuel duty, increased windfall taxes on energy giants, support for those working in domiciliary care, reduced fares for public transport and targeted support for other industries that have been most affected.’

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Mr David Honeyford

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed (Division 1).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 2).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4.2 Motion: Tackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses serious concern at the growing impact of scramblers and e-scooters in communities across Northern Ireland, which has caused significant distress, antisocial behaviour, serious injury and, in some cases, loss of life; notes that other jurisdictions have introduced measures to tackle inappropriate use; acknowledges that, when used responsibly and in appropriate settings, such vehicles can have recreational and community benefits; welcomes the success of community and school-based pilot initiatives, delivered in partnership with the PSNI, the Department of Justice, schools and community organisations, which have significantly reduced illegal scrambler use; supports legislative changes to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; and calls on the Minister of Justice to urgently expand successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘illegal scrambler use;’ and insert:

‘calls on the Minister of Justice to provide additional resources for drone teams and drone equipped officers and to introduce legislative changes to emulate Clause 8 of the Crime and Policing Bill, as currently amended, to strengthen police powers to seize vehicles and retain or dispose of these vehicles being used in a dangerous or antisocial manner; further calls on the Minister to introduce mandatory registration at the point of sale; and calls on the Minister to urgently expand successful pilot programmes across Northern Ireland.’

Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr David Brooks
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Brian Kingston

Debate ensued.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

6. Opposition Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: Tackling Antisocial Scrambler and e-Scooter Use (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6.2 Motion: Drug Dealing Sentencing

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses serious concern with the growing number of drug-related deaths in Northern Ireland, which have increased by 47 per cent within a decade; recognises that addiction is a complex public health issue requiring early intervention and timely access to treatment; acknowledges the need for coordinated efforts between the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Department of Education and the Department for Communities to improve prevention and recovery pathways; notes the devastating impact of the illegal supply of drugs on families and communities; supports the campaign for Jasmin’s Law to secure accountability for those who profit from the sale of drugs; and calls on the Minister of Justice to address sentencing frameworks for those convicted of drug supply offences within the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill, prioritising measures that ensure penalties properly reflect the harm caused by so-called death dealers, act as a meaningful deterrent and demonstrate that those who devastate lives and profit from addiction will face consequences proportionate to the gravity of their crimes.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘families and communities;’ and insert:
‘further notes that paramilitary groups have morphed into organised crime gangs that control the illegal drugs trade in Northern Ireland; supports the campaign for Jasmin’s Law to secure accountability for those who profit from the sale of drugs working alongside the Executive’s Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme; and calls on the Minister of Justice to address sentencing via a Sentencing Council for those convicted of drug supply offences within the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill, prioritising measures that ensure penalties fully reflect the harm and devastation caused by those who are dealing illegal drugs, act as a meaningful deterrent and demonstrate that those who devastate lives and profit from addiction will face consequences proportionate to the gravity of their crimes.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Jon Burrows
Mr Alan Chambers
Mr Andy Allen

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín spoke to her topic regarding Multi-Disciplinary Teams in GP Practices in North Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.20pm.

Mr Edwin Poots

The Speaker

21 April 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

21 April 2026 – Division 1

Amendment: Response to the Cost-of-living Crisis

Leave out all after ‘lie with the British Government,’ and insert:

‘and the Executive has now agreed an enhanced support package for homes relying on heating oil, the delayed response from the Minister for Communities and Minister for the Economy has increased the pressure facing local households and businesses; and calls on the Northern Ireland Executive, in conjunction with the British Government, to outline the actions it will take to alleviate pressures facing workers and businesses, including measures such as a temporary reduction in fuel duty, increased windfall taxes on energy giants, support for those working in domiciliary care, reduced fares for public transport and targeted support for other industries that have been most affected.’

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Mr David Honeyford

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45
Noes: 27

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Donnelly, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe.

The amendment was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

21 April 2026 – Division 2

Motion (as amended): Response to the Cost-of-living Crisis

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the real and immediate pressures facing workers and businesses as a result of the United States’ illegal war with Iran; further notes that the British Government’s response has been insufficient; acknowledges that, while most taxation and fiscal powers lie with the British Government, and the Executive has now agreed an enhanced support package for homes relying on heating oil, the delayed response from the Minister for Communities and Minister for the Economy has increased the pressure facing local households and businesses; and calls on the Northern Ireland Executive, in conjunction with the British Government, to outline the actions it will take to alleviate pressures facing workers and businesses, including measures such as a temporary reduction in fuel duty, increased windfall taxes on energy giants, support for those working in domiciliary care, reduced fares for public transport and targeted support for other industries that have been most affected.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44
Noes: 27

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McMurray, Mr O'Toole.

NOES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 21 April 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

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

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 21 April 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills