Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Standing Order 1(2)

The Principal Deputy Speaker reminded Members of the rules and conventions in relation to the authority of the Chair.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Danny Donnelly
Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Colin McGrath
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Timothy Gaston
Ms Diane Forsythe

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 Suspected Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding the Suspected Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, following which he replied to questions.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Motion: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion: Mother and Baby Unit

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the importance of a regional mother and baby unit to support mothers with postpartum mental health issues; acknowledges that such a unit would enable mothers to remain with their babies while accessing specialist inpatient care; notes that giving birth can be one of the most fulfilling and joyous times in a mother's life; further notes that some mothers experience serious mental health challenges after birth, including postpartum psychosis; affirms that mothers deserve access to inpatient care that allows them to stay with their babies while receiving the support they need; further acknowledges that we remain the only part of these islands without a dedicated mother and baby unit; expresses concern at the ongoing lack of provision; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an update on the current business case for the establishment of a mother and baby unit; and further calls on the Minister to put in place interim measures, including a dedicated ward with staff trained in conditions such as postpartum psychosis, to ensure mothers in crisis can access appropriate support until that unit is developed, and to engage with his Ministerial counterpart in the Department of Health in Dublin to ensure that services in that unit will be available to support mothers and babies throughout Ireland.

Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mrs Linda Dillon

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘remain the only part of’ and insert:

‘the United Kingdom without a dedicated mother and baby unit; expresses concern at the ongoing lack of provision; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an update on the current business case for the establishment of a mother and baby unit; and further calls on the Minister to put in place interim measures, including a dedicated ward with staff trained in conditions such as postpartum psychosis, to ensure mothers in crisis can access appropriate support until that unit is developed, and to engage with his Ministerial counterparts in Great Britain to ensure that services in that unit apply best practice to best support mothers and babies living in Northern Ireland.’

Mr Alan Robinson
Mrs Pam Cameron
Ms Cheryl Brownlee

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘lack of provision;’ and insert:

‘regrets that the clinical advice is that there is no safe way to provide an interim arrangement; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an update on the current business case for the establishment of a mother and baby unit; and further calls on the Minister to commission a short, urgent review of possible alternative options before finally committing to the proposed site at Belfast City Hospital.’

Mr Alan Chambers
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr John Stewart

Debate ensued.

The sitting stood suspended at 1.02pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, in the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Infrastructure

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

8. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Tenant Intimidation: Department for Communities and Northern Ireland Housing Executive Support

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Colm Gildernew.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

9.1 Motion: Mother and Baby Unit (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made (Division 1).

As amendment 1 was made, the question was not put on amendment 2.

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9.2 Motion: Reducing Household Energy Costs

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the role that poorly insulated and energy-inefficient social housing plays in driving up energy costs, thus contributing to fuel poverty; notes the benefits of reducing carbon emissions from the housing sector; recognises the value of interventions, such as retrofitting, which will deliver affordable warmth and reduce household energy bills; further recognises the role of renewables in creating energy security and the value of the targets and objectives for electricity consumption from renewable sources outlined in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and agreed by all Executive parties; and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward proposals for the redesign of social homes, incorporating higher energy efficiency standards and renewable energy integration.

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr David Honeyford
Mr John Blair

Amendment 1:

Leave out all after ‘energy security’ and insert:

‘and recognises the considerable vulnerability in our grid infrastructure; stresses the need for an independent review of SONI and NIE Networks’ failure to properly invest in our grid and the exorbitant prices paid for grid connection by consumers and renewable generators, in comparison with Great Britain; further recognises the need for green hydrogen and anaerobic digestion electricity incentives; advocates for the early building of a second east-west interconnector, in light of the earliest in-service date of 2031 of the North-South Interconnector and the virtual only operation of the Integrated Single Electricity Market; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to outline any discussions she has had with her Executive colleagues on the possibility of joining Ofgem to ensure the continuity, security and appropriate regulation of our electricity supply and to allow the opening up of our renewable market.’

Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Andy Allen
Mr Robbie Butler

Amendment 2:

Leave out all after ‘energy security’ and insert:

‘but expresses concern at the undeliverable nature of emissions targets, and sectoral objectives for electricity consumption from renewable sources, outlined in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, particularly in light of the major infrastructural challenges facing the Executive; and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward proposals for the redesign of social homes, incorporating higher energy efficiency standards and renewable energy integration.’

Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Maurice Bradley

Amendment 3:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Communities’ and insert:

‘to work with Executive colleagues on the introduction of a low carbon housing roadmap, with measurable time-bound targets to increase retrofitting, improved energy efficiency standards for new builds and targeted support to improve energy efficiency for low-income households.’

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Mark Durkan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell (Division 2).
The Question being put, amendment 2 fell (Division 3).
The Question being put, amendment 3 was made (Division 4).
The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 5).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Justin McNulty spoke to his topic regarding Supporting the apple-growing industry in Newry and Armagh.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.11pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
7 October 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.

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 October 2025 – Division 1

Amendment 1 - Mother and Baby Unit

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘remain the only part of’ and insert:

‘the United Kingdom without a dedicated mother and baby unit; expresses concern at the ongoing lack of provision; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an update on the current business case for the establishment of a mother and baby unit; and further calls on the Minister to put in place interim measures, including a dedicated ward with staff trained in conditions such as postpartum psychosis, to ensure mothers in crisis can access appropriate support until that unit is developed, and to engage with his Ministerial counterparts in Great Britain to ensure that services in that unit apply best practice to best support mothers and babies living in Northern Ireland.’

Mr Alan Robinson
Mrs Pam Cameron
Ms Cheryl Brownlee

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 41

Noes: 32

AYES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, 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, Mr Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McAllister, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr Martin, Mr Mathison, Ms Mulholland, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Nicholl, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Brownlee, Mrs Cameron.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Miss Brogan, Mrs Dillon.

Amendment 1 was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 October 2025 – Division 2

Amendment 1 - Reducing Household Energy Costs

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘energy security’ and insert:

‘and recognises the considerable vulnerability in our grid infrastructure; stresses the need for an independent review of SONI and NIE Networks’ failure to properly invest in our grid and the exorbitant prices paid for grid connection by consumers and renewable generators, in comparison with Great Britain; further recognises the need for green hydrogen and anaerobic digestion electricity incentives; advocates for the early building of a second east-west interconnector, in light of the earliest in-service date of 2031 of the North-South Interconnector and the virtual only operation of the Integrated Single Electricity Market; and calls on the Minister for the Economy to outline any discussions she has had with her Executive colleagues on the possibility of joining Ofgem to ensure the continuity, security and appropriate regulation of our electricity supply and to allow the opening up of our renewable market.’

Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Andy Allen
Mr Robbie Butler

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27

Noes: 43

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, 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 Clarke, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, 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 Kelly, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McMurray, Ms Mulholland.

Amendment 1 fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 October 2025 – Division 3

Amendment 2 - Reducing Household Energy Costs

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘energy security’ and insert:

‘but expresses concern at the undeliverable nature of emissions targets, and sectoral objectives for electricity consumption from renewable sources, outlined in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, particularly in light of the major infrastructural challenges facing the Executive; and calls on the Minister for Communities to bring forward proposals for the redesign of social homes, incorporating higher energy efficiency standards and renewable energy integration.’

Mrs Pam Cameron
Mr Maurice Bradley

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 21

Noes: 43

AYES

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

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brett, Mrs Cameron.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, 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 Kelly, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Blair, Mr McMurray.

Amendment 2 fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 October 2025 – Division 4

Amendment 3 - Reducing Household Energy Costs

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Minister for Communities’ and insert:

‘to work with Executive colleagues on the introduction of a low carbon housing roadmap, with measurable time-bound targets to increase retrofitting, improved energy efficiency standards for new builds and targeted support to improve energy efficiency for low-income households.’

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Mark Durkan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 47

Noes: 21

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, 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 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, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGlone, Mr McNulty.

NOES

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

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Brooks, Mr Martin.

Amendment 3 was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

7 October 2025 – Division 5

Motion (As amended) - Reducing Household Energy Costs

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the role that poorly insulated and energy-inefficient social housing plays in driving up energy costs, thus contributing to fuel poverty; notes the benefits of reducing carbon emissions from the housing sector; recognises the value of interventions, such as retrofitting, which will deliver affordable warmth and reduce household energy bills; further recognises the role of renewables in creating energy security and the value of the targets and objectives for electricity consumption from renewable sources outlined in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and agreed by all Executive parties; and calls on the Minister for Communities to work with Executive colleagues on the introduction of a low carbon housing roadmap, with measurable time-bound targets to increase retrofitting, improved energy efficiency standards for new builds and targeted support to improve energy efficiency for low-income households.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45

Noes: 21

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Miss Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, 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 McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

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, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Kingston, Mr Martin.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 7 October 2025

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

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Performance of Restricted Procedures by Health Trusts (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.

Proceedings as 7 October 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage