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:

Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Miss Michelle McIlveen
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Declan Kearney
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mr Colm Gildernew
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Paul Frew

 
3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 Launch of Public Consultation - The Executive Disability Strategy

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the Launch of a Public Consultation on The Executive Disability Strategy, following which he replied to questions.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion: Institutional Reform following the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Findings

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with grave concern the findings of Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report, including that the current institutional structures weakened the ability of the Executive to respond during a global emergency and that decision-making was marred by political disputes; regrets that at certain critical points during the pandemic, Ministers from the two largest parties failed to put the common interest of all of the people of Northern Ireland above their party political interests; condemns the inappropriate use of cross-community votes within the Executive and the breaking of rules by Executive Ministers; resolves that this dysfunction in decision-making must never be repeated; believes that no single party should ever again have the ability to hold decision-making in the Executive, or the Executive itself, to ransom; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to convene a process of institutional reform in consultation with the Irish Government and local parties, without further delay.

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mrs Michelle Guy
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Eóin Tennyson

Amendment:

After ‘to ransom;’ insert:

‘laments the failure by Executive parties to adopt institutional reform as a priority within the Programme for Government; accepts that this missed opportunity has contributed to continued political instability and a loss of public confidence;’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Debate ensued.

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

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried (Division 2).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

 
5. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

5.1 Public Expenditure: 2025-26 December Monitoring Round

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding Public Expenditure: 2025-26 December Monitoring Round, following which he replied to questions.

Questions on the statement stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Infrastructure

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

7.1 Public Expenditure: 2025-26 December Monitoring Round (cont’d)

Questions on the statement resumed.

8. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

8.1 Motion: Addressing the Crisis in Neurology Services

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the crisis facing neurology services in Northern Ireland; believes it is unacceptable that almost 20,000 people are still waiting on a first-time consultant appointment, with a further 11,000 overdue a review appointment; highlights recent statistics indicating that over three quarters of neurology patients surveyed in Northern Ireland had experienced delays accessing services or reported worsening mental health, and that half felt unsupported after their diagnosis; further believes that systemic delays in diagnosis and care are resulting in poorer outcomes and quality of life for those with neurological conditions, whilst placing unacceptable pressures on the existing health workforce; is alarmed that it is five times more common for patients presenting to emergency departments with a neurological condition in Northern Ireland to be admitted to a hospital without a dedicated neurology service than in England; calls on the Minister of Health to address underfunding of, fragmentation between, and critical workforce shortages within neurology services throughout Health and Social Care Trusts; and further calls on the Minister to publish an implementation plan for the recommendations contained in the Regional Review of Neurology Services without further delay.

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Alan Robinson

Amendment:

After ‘than in England;’ insert:
‘endorses the FightForNeuro campaign launched in November 2025, which recognises that people living with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other lifelong conditions are being failed by the current system and that reform and improvement are therefore essential;’

Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Danny Donnelly

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Tackling Scams and Improving Public Protection

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the rising number, and sophistication, of online, telephone, postal and doorstep scams targeting individuals and businesses across Northern Ireland; further notes the serious financial and emotional harm caused to victims, many of whom are older people or vulnerable; recognises that scams are increasingly linked to organised and cross-border criminal activity, seeking to exploit gaps between enforcement agencies and jurisdictions; acknowledges the work of the PSNI, the National Crime Agency, ScamwiseNI, consumer protection bodies, financial institutions and community organisations in raising awareness and supporting victims; and calls on the Minister of Justice, working with Executive colleagues and in partnership with the National Crime Agency and PSNI, to bring forward a coordinated, cross-departmental strategy to strengthen prevention, improve detection and enforcement, enhance data sharing between agencies and financial institutions, deliver more effective public awareness campaigns, and ensure better support for victims of scams across Northern Ireland.

Mr Andy Allen
Mr Doug Beattie
Mr Robbie Butler
Ms Diana Armstrong

Amendment:

After second ‘National Crime Agency’ insert:

‘Joint Agency Task Force’

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Mr Gerry Kelly

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

9. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

9.1 Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: Resignation

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

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

Ms Connie Egan spoke to her topic regarding Poverty in North Down.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.22pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
9 December 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, 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

9 December 2025 – Division 1

Amendment - Institutional Reform following the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Findings

Proposed:

After ‘to ransom;’ insert:
‘laments the failure by Executive parties to adopt institutional reform as a priority within the Programme for Government; accepts that this missed opportunity has contributed to continued political instability and a loss of public confidence;’

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 41
Noes: 32

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, 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, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, 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 Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Frew.

The amendment was made.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mrs Erskine’s vote was cast by Mr Clarke.

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 December 2025 – Division 2

Motion (As amended) - Institutional Reform following the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Findings

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with grave concern the findings of Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report, including that the current institutional structures weakened the ability of the Executive to respond during a global emergency and that decision-making was marred by political disputes; regrets that at certain critical points during the pandemic, Ministers from the two largest parties failed to put the common interest of all of the people of Northern Ireland above their party political interests; condemns the inappropriate use of cross-community votes within the Executive and the breaking of rules by Executive Ministers; resolves that this dysfunction in decision-making must never be repeated; believes that no single party should ever again have the ability to hold decision-making in the Executive, or the Executive itself, to ransom; laments the failure by Executive parties to adopt institutional reform as a priority within the Programme for Government; accepts that this missed opportunity has contributed to continued political instability and a loss of public confidence; and calls on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to convene a process of institutional reform in consultation with the Irish Government and local parties, without further delay.

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 41
Noes: 31

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms K Armstrong, Mr Honeyford.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, 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 Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Frew.

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 8 December 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

Southern Regional College Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 (Department for the Economy)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Food Standards Agency Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

Independent Reporting Commission Eighth Report December 2025 (Independent Reporting Commission)

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 9 December 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills