Minutes of Proceedings

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

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Matters of the Day

2.1 Serious Stabbing in North Belfast

Mr Jon Burrows, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the serious stabbing in North Belfast. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr Padráig Delargy
Mr David Honeyford
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Paul Givan
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Timothy Gaston

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) (Cont’d)

Debate on the Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 12.54pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 4.07pm and resumed at 4.41pm, the Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, in the Chair.

Clauses

After debate, Amendment 68 inserting new clause ‘Disciplinary proceedings concerning former
police officers’ was made on division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the
Bill (Division 1).

After debate, Amendment 69 inserting new clause ‘Police barred list and police advisory list’
was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 70 inserting new clause ‘Repeal of public order offences’ was made
without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 71 inserting new clause ‘Offence of trespassing with intent to commit
criminal offence’ was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part
of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 72 inserting new clause ‘Arranging or facilitating begging for gain’
was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 73 inserting new clause ‘Abolition of the offences of blasphemy and
blasphemous libel’ was made on division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of
the Bill (Division 2).

After debate, Amendment 74 inserting new clause ‘Drugs testing at authorised check-points’
was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The sitting stood suspended at 5.57pm and resumed at 6.30pm, Deputy Speaker Aiken in the Chair.

After debate, Amendment 75 inserting new clause ‘Duty to administer preliminary tests’ was
made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 76 inserting new clause ‘Police Ombudsman: power to submit a
report to appropriate authority during investigation’ was made without division and it was
agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 77 inserting new clause ‘Police Ombudsman: power to submit a
report to appropriate authority before criminal proceedings concluded’ was made without
division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 78 inserting new clause ‘Advertising sexual services’ was made
without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27) was suspended until Monday 15 June 2026.

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 8.21pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
9 June 2026

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

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 June 2026 – Division 1

Amendment 68 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

New Clause

After clause 23 insert—

‘Police discipline

Disciplinary proceedings concerning former police officers

23A.—(1) The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 is amended as follows.

(2)  In section 25 (regulations for Police Service of Northern Ireland)—

(a)  after subsection insert—

“(3A) Regulations under this section may provide for the procedures that are established by or under regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) to apply (with or without modifications) in respect of the conduct, efficiency or effectiveness of any person where—

(a)    an allegation relating to the conduct, efficiency or effectiveness of the person comes to the attention of the Chief Constable, the Board or the Ombudsman,

(b)   at the time of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness the person was a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and

(c)    condition A, B or C is satisfied in relation to the person.

(3B) Condition A is that the person ceases to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland after the allegation first comes to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a).

(3C) Condition B is that—

(a)    the person had ceased to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland before the allegation first came to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a), and

(b)   the period between the person having ceased to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the allegation first coming to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a) does not exceed the period specified in regulations under this section.

(3D) Condition C is that—

(a)    the person had ceased to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland before the allegation first came to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a),

(b)   the period between the person having ceased to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the allegation first coming to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a) exceeds the period specified for the purposes of condition B, and

(c)    the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness is such that, if proved, the person could have been dealt with by dismissal if the person had still been a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(3E) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) as they apply in a case where condition C is satisfied in relation to a person must provide that disciplinary proceedings may be taken against the person in respect of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness only if the Ombudsman determines that taking such proceedings would be reasonable and proportionate having regard to—

(a)    the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness,

(b)   the impact of the allegation on public confidence in the police, and

(c)    the public interest.

(3F) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) may make provision about matters to be taken into account by the Ombudsman for the purposes of subsection (3E)(a) to (c).

(3G) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) must provide that disciplinary proceedings which are not the first disciplinary proceedings to be taken against the person in respect of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness may be taken only if they result from a re-investigation of the allegation that begins within the period specified in the regulations.

(3H) The period referred to in subsection (3G) must begin with the date when the person ceased to be a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”;

(b)  in subsection (4)—

(i)   after “reduced in rank” insert “or former members where there is a finding that the person would have been dismissed, or required to resign, if the person had still been a member;”

(ii)  in paragraph (a), after “(3)” insert “or (3A)”.

(3)   In section 26 (regulations for Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve)—

(a)    after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) Regulations under this section may provide for the procedures that are established by or under regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) to apply (with or without modifications) in respect of the conduct, efficiency or effectiveness of any person where—

(a)    an allegation relating to the conduct, efficiency or effectiveness of the person comes to the attention of the Chief Constable, the Board or the Ombudsman,

(b)   at the time of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness the person was a reserve constable, and

(c)    condition A, B or C is satisfied in relation to the person.

(3B) Condition A is that the person ceases to be a reserve constable after the allegation first comes to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a).

(3C) Condition B is that—

(a)    the person had ceased to be a reserve constable before the allegation first came to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a), and

(b)   the period between the person having ceased to be a reserve constable and the allegation first coming to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a) does not exceed the period specified in regulations under this section.

(3D) Condition C is that—

(a)    the person had ceased to be a reserve constable before the allegation first came to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a),

(b)   the period between the person having ceased to be a reserve constable and the allegation first coming to the attention of a person mentioned in subsection (3A)(a) exceeds the period specified for the purposes of condition B, and

(c)    the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness is such that, if proved, the person could have been dealt with by dismissal if the person had still been a reserve constable.

(3E) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) as they apply in a case where condition C is satisfied in relation to a person must provide that disciplinary proceedings may be taken against the person in respect of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness only if the Ombudsman determines that taking such proceedings would be reasonable and proportionate having regard to—

(a)    the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness,

(b)   the impact of the allegation on public confidence in the police, and

(c)    the public interest.

(3F) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) may make provision about matters to be taken into account by the Ombudsman for the purposes of subsection (3E)(a) to (c).

(3G) Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) must provide that disciplinary proceedings which are not the first disciplinary proceedings to be taken against the person in respect of the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness may be taken only if they result from a re-investigation of the allegation that begins within the period specified in the regulations.

(3H) The period referred to in subsection (3G) must begin with the date when the person ceased to be a reserve constable.”;

(b)   in subsection (4)—

(i)     after “reduced in rank” insert “or former reserve constables where there is a finding that the person would have been dismissed, or required to resign, if the person had still been a reserve constable;”

(ii)   in paragraph (a), after “(3)” insert “or (3A)”.

(4)   In section 27 (members of Police Service of Northern Ireland engaged on other police service)—

(a)    in subsection (5), after “section 25(3)” insert “or (3A)”;

(b)   in subsection (6A)—

(i)     after “section 25(3)” (in the first place) insert “, (3A)”;

(ii)   after “section 25(3)” (in the second place) insert “or (3A)”;

(c)    in subsection (9)(c)—

(i)     after “section 25(3)” insert “or (3A)”;

(ii)   after “or 26(3)” insert “or (3A)”.

(5)   In section 32 (Police Association for Northern Ireland), in subsection (2)—

(a)    after “section 25(3)” insert “or (3A),”;

(b)   after “or 26(3)” insert “or (3A)”.

(6)   In section 59 (steps to be taken after investigation – disciplinary proceedings), in subsection (8)—

(a)    after “section 25(3)” insert “or (3A),”;

(b)   after “or 26(3)” insert “or (3A)”

(7)   In section 65 (guidance concerning discipline, complaints, etc), in subsection (3)—

(a)    after “section 25(3)” insert “or (3A),”;

(b)   after “or 26(3)” insert “or (3A)”.

(8)   Regulations made in pursuance of section 25(3A) or 26(3A) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (as inserted by subsections (2) and (3))—

(a)    may not make provision in relation to a person who ceases to be a police officer before the coming into operation of subsections (2) and (3);

(b)   may make provision in relation to a person who ceases to be a police officer after the coming into operation of this section even though the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness occurred at a time before the coming into operation of subsections (2) and (3), but only if the condition in subsection (9) is satisfied.

(9)      The condition referred to in subsection (8)(b) is that the alleged misconduct, inefficiency or ineffectiveness is such that, if proved, there could be a finding in relation to the person in disciplinary proceedings that the person would have been dismissed, or required to resign, if the person had still been a police officer.

(10)  In subsections (8) and (9), “police officer” has the meaning given by section 77(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000. ’

Minister of Justice

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 55
Noes: 22

AYES

Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, 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, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Mathison, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mrs Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Bradley, Ms Forsythe.

The amendment was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 June 2026 – Division 2

Amendment 73 – Consideration Stage: Justice Bill (NIA Bill 07/22-27)

Proposed:

New Clause

After clause 23 insert—

‘Abolition of offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel

Abolition of the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel

23.A The common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel are abolished.’

Ms Connie Egan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 57
Noes: 24

AYES

Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Burrows, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, 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, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, 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, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Mathison, Mr McMurray.

NOES

Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mrs Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Wilson

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Bradley, Ms Forsythe.

The amendment was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Miss Brogan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 9 June 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2026/106 The Education (School Development Plans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Education)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Department of Finance)

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Sixty-eighth Report (NIA 180/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Framework document: Office for Environmental Protection (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

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 June 2026

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

Justice Bill Annotated Marshalled List of Amendments Consideration Stage