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
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Stewart Dickson
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr David Honeyford
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Paul Frew
Mrs Michelle Guy
Ms Diana Armstrong

3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 Future of CCEA GCSE, AS and A levels

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding the Future of CCEA GCSE, AS and A levels, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

3.2 Wastewater Regulation and Enforcement

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding Wastewater Regulation and Enforcement, following which he replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 First Stage: Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill (NIA Bill 26/22-27)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, introduced a Bill to make provision about the exercise of the court’s discretion when sentencing; to make provision about the availability and effect of suspended sentence orders; to create general principles relating to the determination of tariffs where a court is required to pass a life sentence on an adult; to provide for the review of certain sentences by superior courts; to make provision about the effect of an offender convicted of murder or manslaughter failing to disclose information about the victim’s remains; to create an offence of assaulting a public worker; to create sentencing aggravations concerning offences against public workers, particular groups and vulnerable victims; to amend the law relating to penalties for certain road traffic offences; and to make provision for connected purposes.

The Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill (NIA Bill 26/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

4.2 Further Consideration Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 25/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

4.3 Further Consideration Stage: Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

4.4 Legislative Consent Motion: Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) 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 Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill relating to the removal of the two-child limit as contained in clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 8 January 2026.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Infrastructure

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Private Members’ Business

7.1 First Stage: Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27)

Mr Danny Baker introduced a Bill to make provision for direct payments to be made during school holidays to pupils entitled to receive free school meals; and for connected purposes.

The Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

7.2 First Stage: Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill (NIA Bill 28/22-27)

Mr Pat Sheehan introduced a Bill to require the Department of Education to prepare a workforce plan in respect of Irish-medium education.

The Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill (NIA Bill 28/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

7.3 Motion: International Women’s Day 2026

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the contributions and leadership of women in all fields of public and private life; appreciates that their contributions and leadership serve to enhance the quality of life of everyone in society; acknowledges that much remains to be done to achieve equality and opportunity for all women and girls; commends the work of organisations that equip and encourage women to stand for election, and to progress in their chosen fields; amplifies the voices raised in support and defence of women from all walks of life who are subject to abuse online or in person; supports the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls; and joins the celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.

Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Diane Forsythe
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Ms Diana Armstrong
Ms Cara Hunter

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.


7.4 Motion: An Enhanced Regional Eating Disorder Service

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2026 takes place from 23 February to 1 March; notes that the theme for this year’s awareness week is Community; acknowledges that as many as 37,500 people in Northern Ireland could have an eating disorder; notes with concern that the proportion of eating disorder admissions to the general adolescent inpatient unit has nearly tripled between 2019 and 2024; further acknowledges that the Mental Health Strategy Deliverability Review highlights that significant funding constraints have limited progress; and calls on the Minister of Health to set a clear timeframe for reviewing and responding to the business case for enhancing the regional eating disorder service.

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Alan Robinson
Mr Peter Martin

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

8.1 Chancellor’s Spring Forecast

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast, following which he replied to questions.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Joanne Bunting spoke to her topic regarding Day Centre Transport Services in East Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.46pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
3 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

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 3 March 2026

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill (NIA Bill 26/22-27)

Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27)

Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill (NIA Bill 28/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

The National Lottery Community Fund: Strategic Action Plan Dormant AssetsNI – November 2025 (Department of Finance)

The National Lottery Community Fund Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 (Department of Finance)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Consultation on Court Fees 2026-2029 – Consultation Response Report – February 2026 (Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service)

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 3 March 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills