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
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Colin McGrath
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Ms Kate Nicholl
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Jon Burrows

3. Public Petition

3.1 Road Safety Improvements for Dromara

Mrs Michelle Guy was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on Road Safety Improvements for Dromara.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Mrs Deborah Erskine replace Mrs Pam Cameron as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office; and that Mrs Deborah Erskine be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Harry Harvey
Mr David Brooks

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Transformation Fund – Tranche 2

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O'Dowd, made a statement regarding the Transformation Fund – Tranche 2, following which he replied to questions.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Further Consideration Stage: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

6.2 Further Consideration Stage: Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27).

No amendments to the Bill were selected for debate.

The Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

6.3 Motion: The draft Baby Loss Certificate Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Proposed:

That the draft Baby Loss Certificate Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 be approved.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Report on Engagement with Local Government on the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy (NIA 162/22-27)

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Committee for Communities’ Report on Engagement with Local Government on the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy; and calls on the Minister for Communities and the Executive to implement the recommendations contained therein.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 1.02pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

8. Question Time

8.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Ms Michelle O’Neill. The junior Minister, Ms Aisling Reilly, also answered a number of questions.

9. Committee Business (cont’d)

9.1 Motion: Report on Engagement with Local Government on the Draft Anti-Poverty Strategy (NIA 162/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

10. Private Members’ Business

10.1 Second Stage: Hunting with Dogs Bill (NIA Bill 33/22-27)

Mr John Blair moved the Second Stage of the Hunting with Dogs Bill (NIA Bill 33/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Hunting with Dogs Bill (NIA Bill 33/22-27) passed Second Stage (Division).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

11. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Sian Mulholland spoke to her topic regarding Access to Early Intervention and Family Support Services in North Antrim.

The Assembly adjourned at 8.17pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
26 May 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

26 May 2026 – Division

Second Stage: Hunting with Dogs Bill (NIA Bill 33/22-27)

Mr John Blair

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 60
Noes: 15

AYES

Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Miss Brogan, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, 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 Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Kingston, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mrs Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Donnelly, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Lyons, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Frew.

The Hunting with Dogs Bill (NIA Bill 33/22-27) passed Second Stage.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 20 May 2026 to 26 May 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/93 The Registered Rents (Increase) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)

Draft SR 2026/XXXX The Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

For Information Only

SR 2026/91 The Schools (Part-time-20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/92 The Schools (Part-Time 20mph Speed Limit) (Amendment No .4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/94 The Road Races (Cairncastle Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/95 The Waiting Restrictions (Bedford Street, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/96 The Waiting Restrictions (Comber) (Amendment No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2026/97 The Control of Traffic (Durham Street, Belfast) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Memorandum Not Seeking Consent: Sporting Events Bill (Department for the Economy)

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Sixty-sixth Report (NIA 173/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Written Ministerial Statement covering Module 3 and Module 4 (First Minister and deputy First Minister)

Ministerial meeting held under the auspices of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co-operation (IGA) (Minister of Justice)

Update on Northern Ireland Housing Executive Out of Hours Service (Department for Communities)

Publication of the Programme for Government Annual Report 2025-2026 (First Minister and deputy First Minister)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Use of Temporary Nursing Staff in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

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 26 May 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills