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 Declan McAleer
Mr Brian Kingston
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr Alan Chambers
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr John Blair
Mr Robbie Butler
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Gerry Carroll

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2023-2024

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £23,937,688,000, be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for or towards defraying the charges for the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2024 and that resources, not exceeding £28,817,828,000, be authorised for use by the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2024 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Column 4 of Table 2 in the volume of the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2023-2024 that was laid before the Assembly on 20 March 2024.

Minister of Finance

Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2024-2025

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £15,724,763,000 be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for or towards defraying the charges for the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2025 and that resources, not exceeding £18,731,611,000, be authorised for use by the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2025 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Column 4 of Table 1 in the Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2024-2025 that was laid before the Assembly on 20 March 2024.

Minister of Finance

A single debate ensued on the two motions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58 pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

5. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2023-2024 (cont’d)

Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2024-2025 (cont’d)

Debate resumed on both motions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion on the Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2023-2024 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2024-2025 was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: The draft Period Products (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Specified Public Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024

Proposed:

That the draft Period Products (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín spoke to her topic regarding Housing in North Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.41pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
9 April 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 9 April 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2024/0000 Draft SR - The Lay Magistrates (Eligibility) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Justice)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Seventh Report of Session 2023 – 2024 (Northern Ireland Assembly)

Final Report to the Finance Minister on Draft Budgets 2024-25 for the Northern Ireland Audit office (NIAO), the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) and the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (NIAC)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Written Ministerial Statement from the Minister of Health – Vasectomy Services (Department of Health)

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 April 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills