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 Pat Sheehan
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Connie Egan
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr David Brooks
Mr Timothy Gaston

3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 Proposed Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, made a statement regarding a Proposed Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 USA/NI 250

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding USA/NI 250, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Final Stage: Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved that the Final Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27) passed Final Stage.

4.2 Consideration Stage: Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, moved the Consideration Stage of the Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27).

Twenty-two amendments were tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

Clauses

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

Debate ensued.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Health

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

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Consideration Stage: Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

Clauses

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

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

After debate, Amendment 3 to Clause 2 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 2 was made on division (Division 1).

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

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

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 4 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 6 to Clause 4 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 7 to Clause 5 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 8 to Clause 5 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 5, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 6 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 9 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 10 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 11 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 12 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 13 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 14 to Clause 7 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 15 to Clause 7 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 7, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 16 to Clause 8 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 17 to Clause 8 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 8, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 18 inserting new clause ‘Department’s manner of engagement’ was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 19 to Clause 9 was made without division.

After debate, Amendment 20 to Clause 9 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 9, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 21 to Clause 10 was made without division.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 10, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 22 to Clause 11 was made on division (Division 2).

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 11, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 12 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 13 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 14 stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 15 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

6.2 Consideration Stage: Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27)

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, moved the Consideration Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27).

One amendment was tabled to the Bill and selected for debate.

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

After debate, Amendment 1 inserting new clause ‘Annual report on costs’ was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

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

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The Hospital Parking Charges Bill (NIA Bill 29/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

6.3 Consideration Stage: RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved the Consideration Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

Clause

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

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

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6.4 Motion: The draft Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Proposed:

That the draft Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2026 be approved.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6.5 Motion: The draft Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Miscarriage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the draft Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay (Miscarriage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 be approved.

Minister for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 Motion: Renewables to Enhance Northern Ireland’s Energy Security

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the impact of energy price rises on families and businesses due to conflict in the Middle East; further expresses grave concern that Northern Ireland already had the highest fuel poverty rate in the UK and that this is likely to be compounded by the sharp rise in prices; recognises that Northern Ireland’s dependence on volatile global energy markets is a major risk to our energy security and will always leave local households exposed to internationally-driven price spikes; agrees that greater renewable energy generation offers the clearest and lowest-cost pathway to enhance Northern Ireland’s energy security and, as a result, stable and lower costs for consumers; further agrees that delivering this transition will require stronger north–south collaboration on energy infrastructure, grid connectivity and market integration; condemns those seeking to roll back on renewable energy targets and inhibiting delivery of the North-South Interconnector; regrets that, according to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, there have been significant flaws in implementing the NI Energy Strategy; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to deliver a comprehensive plan to end Northern Ireland’s dependence on planet-killing fossil fuels and deliver a green energy transition.

Mr David Honeyford
Ms Kate Nicholl


Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘internationally-driven price spikes;’ and insert:

‘agrees that an appropriate energy mix, combining greater renewable energy generation with ongoing and essential supplies of fossil fuels, offers the clearest, most realistic and lowest-cost pathway to enhance Northern Ireland’s energy security, and, as a result, stable and lower costs for consumers; further agrees that, given the high dispatch-down rate for wind in Northern Ireland, delivering energy security will require stronger east-west and north–south collaboration on energy infrastructure, grid connectivity, long-duration energy storage and market integration; condemns those pursuing renewable energy targets in isolation, and those inhibiting delivery of the North-South Interconnector; regrets that, according to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, there have been significant flaws in implementing the NI Energy Strategy despite the Department for the Economy spending approximately £107 million on this area since 2020; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to progress the case for a further east-west interconnector as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce Northern Ireland’s dependence on harmful fossil fuels and deliver a green energy transition that is able to ensure energy supply can always meet demand.’

Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Diane Forsythe

Amendment 2:

At end insert:

‘‘; and further calls on the Minister for Communities, as the Minister of the Department responsible for tackling fuel poverty and administering existing fuel support schemes, to urgently bring forward a scheme to ensure the £17 million, allocated to the Executive to support households impacted by the increase in energy costs, reaches those who need it.’

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell (Division 3).

The Question being put, amendment 2 was made (Division 4).

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 5).

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Eóin Tennyson spoke to his topic regarding the A1 Junctions Phase 2.

The Assembly adjourned at 8.51pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
24 March 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

24 March 2026 – Division 1

Amendment 4 - Consideration Stage: Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 2, Page 2, Line 17

At end insert—

‘(4) The Department must also make arrangements for ensuring the availability of classes—
(a) taught by accredited teachers or other suitable persons, and
(b) for people aged 25 and over who become deaf, and their close families and carers, to learn (or improve proficiency in) the Language.
(5) The Department may by regulations subject to negative resolution provide for a fee to be payable for classes provided under subsection (4).
(6) In setting a fee the Department must aim to ensure that in any financial year the income from the fee does not exceed the costs arising from the provision of classes.’

Ms Kellie Armstrong

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47
Noes: 22

AYES

Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gaston, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Donnelly, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Cameron, Mr Kingston.

The amendment was made.

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

24 March 2026 – Division 2

Amendment 22 - Consideration Stage: Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 11, Page 6, Line 33

Leave out ‘who normally use’ and insert ‘who will benefit from using’

Ms Kellie Armstrong

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 39
Noes: 28

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Donnelly, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, 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, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Cameron, Mr Kingston.

The amendment was made.

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

24 March 2026 – Division 3

Amendment 1: Renewables to Enhance Northern Ireland’s Energy Security

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘internationally-driven price spikes;’ and insert:

‘agrees that an appropriate energy mix, combining greater renewable energy generation with ongoing and essential supplies of fossil fuels, offers the clearest, most realistic and lowest-cost pathway to enhance Northern Ireland’s energy security, and, as a result, stable and lower costs for consumers; further agrees that, given the high dispatch-down rate for wind in Northern Ireland, delivering energy security will require stronger east-west and north–south collaboration on energy infrastructure, grid connectivity, long-duration energy storage and market integration; condemns those pursuing renewable energy targets in isolation, and those inhibiting delivery of the North-South Interconnector; regrets that, according to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, there have been significant flaws in implementing the NI Energy Strategy despite the Department for the Economy spending approximately £107 million on this area since 2020; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to progress the case for a further east-west interconnector as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce Northern Ireland’s dependence on harmful fossil fuels and deliver a green energy transition that is able to ensure energy supply can always meet demand.’

Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Diane Forsythe

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 26
Noes: 39

AYES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brett, Ms Forsythe.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Donnelly, Mr McMurray.

The following Member voted in both Lobbies and is therefore not counted in the result: Mr Kearney

Amendment 1 fell.

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

24 March 2026 – Division 4

Amendment 2: Renewables to Enhance Northern Ireland’s Energy Security

Proposed:

At end insert:

‘‘; and further calls on the Minister for Communities, as the Minister of the Department responsible for tackling fuel poverty and administering existing fuel support schemes, to urgently bring forward a scheme to ensure the £17 million, allocated to the Executive to support households impacted by the increase in energy costs, reaches those who need it.’

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Declan Kearney

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 40
Noes: 26

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Delargy, Miss Hargey.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brett, Ms Forsythe.

Amendment 2 was made.

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

24 March 2026 – Division 5

Motion (As amended): Renewables to Enhance Northern Ireland’s Energy Security

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the impact of energy price rises on families and businesses due to conflict in the Middle East; further expresses grave concern that Northern Ireland already had the highest fuel poverty rate in the UK and that this is likely to be compounded by the sharp rise in prices; recognises that Northern Ireland’s dependence on volatile global energy markets is a major risk to our energy security and will always leave local households exposed to internationally-driven price spikes; agrees that greater renewable energy generation offers the clearest and lowest-cost pathway to enhance Northern Ireland’s energy security and, as a result, stable and lower costs for consumers; further agrees that delivering this transition will require stronger north–south collaboration on energy infrastructure, grid connectivity and market integration; condemns those seeking to roll back on renewable energy targets and inhibiting delivery of the North-South Interconnector; regrets that, according to the Northern Ireland Audit Office, there have been significant flaws in implementing the NI Energy Strategy; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to deliver a comprehensive plan to end Northern Ireland’s dependence on planet-killing fossil fuels and deliver a green energy transition; and further calls on the Minister for Communities, as the Minister of the Department responsible for tackling fuel poverty and administering existing fuel support schemes, to urgently bring forward a scheme to ensure the £17 million, allocated to the Executive to support households impacted by the increase in energy costs, reaches those who need it.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 40
Noes: 26

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Bradshaw, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Ms Forsythe.

The motion, as amended, 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 24 March 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/59 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

SR 2026/60 The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

SR 2026/61 The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Partnership Working: Departments and Arm’s Length Bodies (Northern Ireland Audit Office) WITHDRAWN 24/03/26

Report of an unannounced inspection of Magilligan Prison 9-26 September 2025 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care Business Plan 2026-27 (Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care)

Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care Strategic Plan 2026-2029 (Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care)

Report on the Joint Fisheries Statement: Covering the period November 2022 to November 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Partnership Working: Departments and Arm’s Length Bodies (Northern Ireland Audit Office) RE-LAID 24/03/26

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 24 March 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills