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 Ministerial Announcements and Proper Procedure

The Speaker reminded Members and Ministers of the conventions and rulings of the Assembly that make it clear that significant announcements should be made to the Assembly first. The Speaker reminded Ministers that the role of the Assembly was to scrutinise their work and to hold them to account, and that Ministers should proactively facilitate that scrutiny.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Andrew McMurray
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Gerry Carroll

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Meeting

The Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety meeting, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Pension Schemes Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees, in line with section 87 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Pension Schemes Bill relating to clause 109, Pre-97 Indexation, and clause 116(4) and (5), Funding of the Board of the Pension Protection Fund, which were introduced by way of Government amendment on 3 December 2025.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion: Clerical Child Abuse

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes that independent research findings and recommendations on clerical child abuse, commissioned by the Executive Office, were submitted to the First Minister and deputy First Minister in July 2025; expresses concern at the lack of engagement with victims and survivors since that time; pays tribute to the Survivors Reference Group and other campaigners for their work in raising awareness and sharing personal details of abuse in faith-based settings; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to publish the reports with the findings and recommendations, set out a funded and time-bound response, and state their position on the reported recommendation for an independent public inquiry.

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Stewart Dickson
Miss Nuala McAllister
Ms Sian Mulholland

Amendment:

At end insert:

‘; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to take proactive steps to ensure religious and other institutions do not destroy relevant records.’

Mr Gerry Carroll

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Economy

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

8. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Graduated Driving Licence

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Peter Martin.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

9.1 Motion: Clerical Child Abuse (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9.2 Motion: Addressing Harms of Adult Services Websites

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the significant impact of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking of women and girls facilitated through adult services websites; reaffirms its commitment to Northern Ireland’s longstanding leadership in safeguarding women and girls from exploitation and trafficking; and calls on the Minister of Justice to press the UK Government to bring forward proposals making it an offence to operate a website hosting advertisements for prostitution.

Mr Peter Martin
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Brian Kingston

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Cara Hunter spoke to her topic regarding Road Infrastructure in Ballykelly and Kilrea.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.31pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
27 January 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

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 27 January 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

Committee on a complaint against Mr Timothy Gaston MLA (NIA 103/22-27) (Committee on Standards and Privileges)

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Fifty-fourth Report (NIA 145/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department of Education – Teachers’ Pension Annual Scheme Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

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 27 January 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills