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 Aisling Reilly
Mr Keith Buchanan
Ms Connie Egan
Mr John Stewart
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Declan Kearney
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Paul Frew
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Gerry Carroll

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the Regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion: Local Growth Fund

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the positive impact that the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund have had in supporting the community and voluntary sector; notes the ongoing failure of the British Government to deliver on the commitment to fully replace European funding in the aftermath of Brexit; further notes the ongoing lack of clarity from the British Government regarding the Local Growth Fund which will replace the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026; acknowledges the uncertainty for the community and voluntary sector here; calls on the British Government to fulfil its promise to match European Union funding in full and to provide clarity for the community and voluntary sectors beyond 2026; and further calls on the British Government to fulfil its commitment to return decision-making on structural funds to the Executive and to urgently engage to ensure a replacement fund can be put in place by April 2026.

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Colm Gildernew
Miss Jemma Dolan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was made.

The sitting stood suspended at 12.47pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Education

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 PSNI Data Breach Compensation

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O'Dowd, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Matthew O'Toole.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: Reducing the Level of Unpaid Rates

Proposed:

That Assembly expresses concern that over £82 million in rates bills have been written off by the Department of Finance in the last six years, with over £145 million remaining unpaid as of 31 August 2025; believes it is unfair that law-abiding businesses and households pay their rates while others have their slate wiped clean; notes that uncollected rates debt is a barrier to maximising funding available for vital public services; calls on the Minister of Finance to tangibly increase the target figure for gross collectable rates operated by Land and Property Services; and further calls on the Minister to present a range of new and concrete proposals to reduce the level of rates that are unpaid or written off over the next five years.

Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Harry Harvey

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Kate Nicholl spoke to her topic regarding Improving Infrastructure in Castlereagh South.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.48pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
21 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.

In line with Standing Order 27A, Mr Peter McReynolds arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 15 October 2025 to 4 November 2025.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 21 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

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Forty-eighth Report of Session 2025-26 (NIA 126/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

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 October 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage