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:

Mrs Linda Dillon
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr John Blair
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Declan McAleer
Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Colm Gildernew
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Jon Burrows
Mr Timothy Gaston

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Update on the Outcome of the Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding an Update on the Outcome of the Independent Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

The Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Consideration Stage of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27).

Six 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Debate ensued.

The sitting stood suspended at 12.59pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr John O'Dowd.

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Jonathan Buckley.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

7.1 Consideration Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

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

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

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

After debate, Amendment 1 to Clause 11 was made without division.

Amendment 2 was not moved.

Amendment 3 was not moved.

After debate, Amendment 4 to Clause 11 was negatived on division (Division 1).

After debate, Amendment 5 to Clause 11 was negatived on division (Division 2).

After debate, Amendment 6 to Clause 11 was negatived on division (Division 3).

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.

Schedule

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

Long Title

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

The Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

7.2 Motion: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was made.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: Supporting Service Leavers, Veterans and their Families

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the transferable skills developed by many armed forces service leavers and veterans can make an important contribution to our economy and build stronger communities; believes that those serving, service leavers, veterans and their families should not face disadvantage as a result of their military service when accessing services, including healthcare, education, and housing; welcomes, in this context, the legal duty placed on a range of public bodies in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant; calls on the Executive to ensure that departments meet this duty, including by appointing a departmental armed forces liaison officer; and further calls for closer collaboration between government, employers, education providers and veterans’ organisations, which is essential to support the successful transition to civilian life, and in the interests of a shared and inclusive society.

Mr Paul Frew [R]
Mr Andy Allen [R]
Mr Timothy Gaston
Ms Paula Bradshaw

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 4).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the chair.

8.2 Motion: Addressing the Impact of Holiday Homes and Short-term Lets

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the impact that holiday homes and short-term lets have on several rural and coastal communities in Northern Ireland; notes with concern that the growth in holiday homes and short-term lets is contributing to rising house prices, reduces the availability of affordable housing and threatens the social fabric of many communities; and calls on the Executive to, as a matter of urgency, bring forward proposals to address the impact of holiday homes and short-term lets in areas where they are having a negative effect.

Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Colin McGrath

Amendment:

After ‘That this Assembly’ insert:

‘recognises the importance of maintaining sustainable, year-round communities in rural and coastal areas, where local schools, services and community life depend on people being able to live and work locally; further’

Ms Claire Sugden

Amendment not moved.

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Cheryl Brownlee spoke to her topic regarding Installing a Sensory Room in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

The Assembly adjourned at 7.47pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
4 November 2025

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, Mr Peter McReynolds arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 15 October 2025 to 4 November 2025.

Northern Ireland Assembly

4 November 2025 – Division 1

Amendment 4 - Consideration Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 11, Page 5, Line 37

At end insert—

‘(3A) The regulations must include provision specifying that a certificate may contain, if the applicant so requests—
(a) the name and sex of the baby and any other biographical information; and
(b) a statement by the applicant recognising the baby as a member of their family.’

Mr Timothy Gaston

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 23
Noes: 51

AYES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Carroll, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Forsythe, Mr Gaston.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Mr McReynolds vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

4 November 2025 – Division 2

Amendment 5 - Consideration Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 11, Page 5, Line 37

At end insert—

‘(3A) The regulations must provide for the issue of a certificate following a termination of pregnancy.’

Mr Timothy Gaston

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 23
Noes: 53

AYES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Gaston, Mr Kingston.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Mr McReynolds vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

4 November 2025 – Division 3

Amendment 6 - Consideration Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)

Proposed:

Clause 11, Page 6, Line 5

Leave out subsection (5) and insert—

‘(5) Before making regulations under this section, a draft of the regulations must be laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

(6) The first draft of regulations under this section must be laid before the Assembly within the period of 12 weeks beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.’

Mr Eóin Tennyson

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 18
Noes: 50

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Blair, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mr Gaston, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Miss McAllister, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Nicholl, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Dickson, Ms Egan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Boylan, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dillon, Mrs Dodds, Miss Dolan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Erskine, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kearney, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr McAleer, Mr McHugh, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mrs Mason, Mr Middleton, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Robinson, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Mr McReynolds vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

4 November 2025 – Division 4

Motion - Supporting Service Leavers, Veterans and their Families

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the transferable skills developed by many armed forces service leavers and veterans can make an important contribution to our economy and build stronger communities; believes that those serving, service leavers, veterans and their families should not face disadvantage as a result of their military service when accessing services, including healthcare, education, and housing; welcomes, in this context, the legal duty placed on a range of public bodies in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant; calls on the Executive to ensure that departments meet this duty, including by appointing a departmental armed forces liaison officer; and further calls for closer collaboration between government, employers, education providers and veterans’ organisations, which is essential to support the successful transition to civilian life, and in the interests of a shared and inclusive society.

Mr Paul Frew [R]
Mr Andy Allen [R]
Mr Timothy Gaston
Ms Paula Bradshaw

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 42
Noes: 26

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Dickson, Mr Donnelly, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Mathison, Mr Middleton, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Butler, Mr Frew.

NOES

Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mrs Mason, Ms Sheerin.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Mr McReynolds vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 4 November 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/171 The County Court (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/172 The Health and Social Care (Exemptions from Charges, Payments and Remission of Charges) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Health)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Memorandum Not Seeking Consent: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill Memorandum (Department of Finance) (Revised)

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department of Education Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

Public Prosecution Service Annual Report and Resource Accounts 2024-25 (Office of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland)

Department for the Economy Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

Department for Infrastructure Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 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 4 November 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage

Northern Ireland Assembly Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments Consideration Stage.