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:

Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Andrew McMurray
Mr Jon Burrows
Mr Mark Durkan
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Keith Buchanan
Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Timothy Gaston

3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 Implementation of the TransformED Strategy

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding the Implementation of the TransformED Strategy, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

Following an exchange between Deputy Speaker Aiken and Miss Nuala McAllister, Deputy Speaker Aiken ordered Miss McAllister to withdraw from the Chamber

3.2 North South Ministerial Council Environment Sector Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Environment Sector Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

3.3 North South Ministerial Council Aquaculture and Marine Sector Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Aquaculture and Marine Sector Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

3.4 North South Ministerial Council Agriculture Sector Meeting

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Agriculture Sector Meeting, following which he replied to questions.

The Statement stood suspended at 12.56pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Finance

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

5.1 North South Ministerial Council Agriculture Sector Meeting (cont’d)

Questions on the Statement resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Mental Health Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of extending the amendment to the UK Mental Health Bill to Northern Ireland, to ensure private providers delivering publicly funded mental health services are accountable under the Human Rights Act 1998, insofar as the provisions of that amendment relate to matters falling within the legislative competence of the Assembly and agrees to the amendment’s extension to Northern Ireland.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Adult Protection Bill (NIA Bill 16/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 27 March 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Adult Protection Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: End the Forced Starvation in Gaza

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with deep concern the declaration of famine in Gaza by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) with half a million people, a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza, suffering from famine; further notes the IPC's assessment that this situation is entirely man-made and the assessment by the Head of Emergency Relief at the UN that it is a result of systematic obstruction by Israel; condemns Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war; further condemns the targeting and killing by Israeli forces of hundreds of Palestinians desperately trying to access aid through the discredited, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; and calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing, the immediate and unconditional supply of all required humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of all hostages and the upholding of human rights and international law.

Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Emma Sheerin

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘suffering from famine;’ and insert:

‘further notes that this crisis is man-made and results from restrictions on humanitarian access, obstruction by Israeli authorities, and diversion of aid by armed groups including Hamas; condemns the use of starvation, hostage-taking, indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilians as weapons of war; calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, unhindered humanitarian aid under international oversight, and renewed international efforts towards a negotiated two-state solution.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Mr John Stewart
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Jon Burrows

Debate ensued.

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

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

The Speaker took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Saving Lough Neagh

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the return of blue-green algae at Lough Neagh and other sites across Northern Ireland; acknowledges the severe environmental, economic and societal impacts, including the closure of eel fishing this year; expresses regret at the misguided support for a motion calling for a public consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme to be withdrawn; and calls on the Executive to support all necessary actions aimed at rescuing the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake.

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Daniel McCrossan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 3).

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mrs Diane Dodds spoke to her topic regarding the Future of Services at South West Acute Hospital.

The Assembly adjourned at 8.15pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
9 September 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 September 2025 – Division 1

Amendment: End the Forced Starvation in Gaza

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘suffering from famine;’ and insert:

‘further notes that this crisis is man-made and results from restrictions on humanitarian access, obstruction by Israeli authorities, and diversion of aid by armed groups including Hamas; condemns the use of starvation, hostage-taking, indiscriminate attacks and the targeting of civilians as weapons of war; calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, unhindered humanitarian aid under international oversight, and renewed international efforts towards a negotiated two-state solution.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Mr John Stewart
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Jon Burrows

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 31

Noes: 44

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Ayes: Dr Aiken, Mr Beattie.

NOES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, 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, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, 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, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Carroll, Mrs Dillon.

The amendment fell.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 September 2025 – Division 2

Motion: End the Forced Starvation in Gaza

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with deep concern the declaration of famine in Gaza by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) with half a million people, a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza, suffering from famine; further notes the IPC's assessment that this situation is entirely man-made and the assessment by the Head of Emergency Relief at the UN that it is a result of systematic obstruction by Israel; condemns Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war; further condemns the targeting and killing by Israeli forces of hundreds of Palestinians desperately trying to access aid through the discredited, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation; and calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing, the immediate and unconditional supply of all required humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of all hostages and the upholding of human rights and international law.

Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Emma Sheerin

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45

Noes: 30

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, 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, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, 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, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Carroll, Ms Finnegan.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, 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: Dr Aiken, Mr Clarke.

The motion was carrried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

9 September 2025 – Division 3

Motion: Saving Lough Neagh

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the return of blue-green algae at Lough Neagh and other sites across Northern Ireland; acknowledges the severe environmental, economic and societal impacts, including the closure of eel fishing this year; expresses regret at the misguided support for a motion calling for a public consultation on the Nutrients Action Programme to be withdrawn; and calls on the Executive to support all necessary actions aimed at rescuing the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake.

Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Daniel McCrossan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45

Noes: 29

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, 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, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, 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, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Nesbitt, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Ms Kate Nicholl arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 31 March 2025 to 28 December 2025.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 9 September 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

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 9 September 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage