Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Speaker

The Principal Deputy Speaker informed Members that the Speaker remained unwell and would not be in the Chamber.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mr Declan Kearney
Mrs Diane Dodds
Mrs Michelle Guy
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr John Stewart
Mr Mark Durkan
Ms Claire Sugden
Ms Aisling Reilly
Mr Peter Martin

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mr Phillip Brett replace Mr Harry Harvey as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office; that Mrs Pam Cameron replace Mr Brian Kingston as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office; that Mr Brian Kingston replace Mr Stephen Dunne as a member of the Committee for Justice; that Mr Harry Harvey replace Mr Keith Buchanan as a member of the Committee for Infrastructure; that Mrs Pam Cameron replace Mr Brian Kingston as a member of the Committee for Communities; that Mr Brian Kingston replace Mr Phillip Brett as a member of the Committee for Finance; that Mr Harry Harvey replace Mr Paul Frew as a member of the Committee for Finance; that Ms Cheryl Brownlee replace Mr William Irwin as a member of the Committee on Procedures; that Mr Gary Middleton replace Mr Peter Martin as a member of the Committee for Education; and that Mr Stephen Dunne be appointed as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr David Brooks
Mr Harry Harvey

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 26 January 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for the Executive Office

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5.2 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 15 May 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Dilapidation Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion: Holding the Irish Government to Account on Legacy

Proposed:

That this Assembly rejects the notion of an amnesty for those responsible for wrongdoing during the Troubles; stresses that any revised proposals for dealing with the legacy of the past must be the product of serious and sustained engagement with innocent victims, survivors and their advocates; deplores the decision of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to enter bilateral discussions with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland whilst acquiescing on the abject failure of the Irish Government to provide answers for those families who suspect Irish state involvement in the murder of their loved ones, or who believe their deaths could have been prevented; highlights, furthermore, the absurdity of this approach when the Irish Government maintains their inter-state case against the UK Government; notes with concern the Memorandum of Understanding between the Irish Government and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry, which masquerades as cooperation but includes no statutory powers, no ability to compel witnesses and no guarantee of full disclosure; opposes any role for the Irish Government in overseeing the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery without first establishing parallel investigative processes in its jurisdiction; and calls on the UK Government to urgently provide assurances that any agreement reached in principle with the Irish Government on legacy commands the broad support of victims and survivors.

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Phillip Brett

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘sustained engagement with’ and insert:
‘victims, survivors and their advocates; notes with concern the Memorandum of Understanding between the Irish Government and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry; further notes the motion agreed by the Assembly, in March 2025, calling on the Irish Government to initiate a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb; reiterates the call for a separate public inquiry by the Irish Government into the Omagh Bombing; and calls on the UK Government to urgently provide assurances that any agreement reached in principle with the Irish Government on legacy commands the broad support of victims and survivors.’

Mr Gerry Kelly
Mrs Linda Dillon

Debate ensued.

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

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

The sitting stood suspended at 12.59pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

8.1 Motion: Health and Social Care 2025-26 Pay Awards

Proposed:

That this Assembly reaffirms its commitment to the core principle of pay parity for our health workers; welcomes the Minister of Health’s prompt confirmation that, with Executive support, he was committed to delivering the 2025-26 pay award in line with the NHS Pay Review Body recommendations; accepts that even with the significant levels of savings being generated across the health service, the delivery of the 2025-26 pay award requires broader Executive support and assistance; expresses deep regret that despite being over halfway through the financial year, and pay increases already implemented elsewhere across the UK, our health and social care (HSC) workers are still waiting to receive their pay increase; recognises that unless a decision is taken imminently, Northern Ireland is rapidly facing the prospect of significant industrial action which would exacerbate the challenges already facing our health service and undermine the critical Programme for Government target to reduce waiting lists; and calls on the Executive to urgently consider and approve the outstanding Ministerial Direction request from the Minister of Health for the implementation of the 2025-26 pay awards to the HSC workforce.

Mr Alan Chambers
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Robbie Butler

Amendment:

Leave out all after ‘industrial action’ and insert:

‘notes that in the last five financial years, the total amount spent on private healthcare appointments by Health and Social Care Trusts totals at least £302,203,303, whilst the cost of implementing the 2025-26 Pay Award is estimated to be £200,000,000; calls on the Minister of Health to end the stealth privatisation of health and social care and use this funding to invest in fair pay for health and social care workers; and further calls on the Executive to urgently consider and approve the outstanding Ministerial Direction request from the Minister of Health for the implementation of the 2025-26 pay awards to the HSC workforce.’

Mr Gerry Carroll

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made (Division 3).

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

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Colm Gildernew spoke to his topic regarding Protection of Sliabh Beagh from Fires and Environmental Damage.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.36pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
23 September 2025

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

23 September 2025 – Division 1

Amendment - Holding the Irish Government to Account on Legacy

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘sustained engagement with’ and insert:

‘victims, survivors and their advocates; notes with concern the Memorandum of Understanding between the Irish Government and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry; further notes the motion agreed by the Assembly, in March 2025, calling on the Irish Government to initiate a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb; reiterates the call for a separate public inquiry by the Irish Government into the Omagh Bombing; and calls on the UK Government to urgently provide assurances that any agreement reached in principle with the Irish Government on legacy commands the broad support of victims and survivors.’

Mr Gerry Kelly
Mrs Linda Dillon

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44

Noes: 34

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, 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 Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Mr Frew.

The amendment was made.

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

23 September 2025 – Division 2

Motion (As amended) - Holding the Irish Government to Account on Legacy

Proposed:

That this Assembly rejects the notion of an amnesty for those responsible for wrongdoing during the Troubles; stresses that any revised proposals for dealing with the legacy of the past must be the product of serious and sustained engagement with victims, survivors and their advocates; notes with concern the Memorandum of Understanding between the Irish Government and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry; further notes the motion agreed by the Assembly, in March 2025, calling on the Irish Government to initiate a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb; reiterates the call for a separate public inquiry by the Irish Government into the Omagh Bombing; and calls on the UK Government to urgently provide assurances that any agreement reached in principle with the Irish Government on legacy commands the broad support of victims and survivors.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44

Noes: 34

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, 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 Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Mr Frew.

The motion, as amended, 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

23 September 2025 – Division 3

Amendment – Health and Social Care 2025-26 Pay Awards

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘industrial action’ and insert:

‘notes that in the last five financial years, the total amount spent on private healthcare appointments by Health and Social Care Trusts totals at least £302,203,303, whilst the cost of implementing the 2025-26 Pay Award is estimated to be £200,000,000; calls on the Minister of Health to end the stealth privatisation of health and social care and use this funding to invest in fair pay for health and social care workers; and further calls on the Executive to urgently consider and approve the outstanding Ministerial Direction request from the Minister of Health for the implementation of the 2025-26 pay awards to the HSC workforce.’

Mr Gerry Carroll

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 40

Noes: 28

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Mr Durkan.

NOES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Butler, Mr Chambers.

The amendment was made.

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

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 23 September 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

Committee for Finance Inquiry into the Northern Ireland Banking and Financial Services Landscape (Committee for Finance) (NIAR 112/22-27)

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 23 September 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage