Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 New Assembly Member

The Speaker informed Members that he had been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer that Ms Aoife Finnegan had been returned as a Member of the Assembly for the Newry and Armagh constituency.

Ms Finnegan gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered her designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk / Chief Executive on 10 February 2025.

2.2 Standards of Debate

The Speaker reminded Ministers and Members that they must uphold high standards of debate; that points of order are for procedural points, rather than political points; and that Members must respect the authority of the Chair, irrespective of whether it is occupied by himself or a Deputy Speaker.

3. Matter of the Day

3.1 Clonoe Inquest Findings

Mr Timothy Gaston, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Clonoe Inquest Findings. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.

4. Members’ Statements

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

Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr Nick Mathison
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Justin McNulty
Miss Órlaithi Flynn
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Harry Harvey
Ms Claire Sugden
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken took the Chair.

5. Assembly Business

5.1 Motion: Committee Membership

Proposed:

That Ms Emma Sheerin replace Mr Philip McGuigan as a Member of the Committee for the Economy; that Mr Danny Baker replace Miss Jemma Dolan as a Member of the Committee for Justice; that Miss Jemma Dolan replace Miss Nicola Brogan as a member of the Committee for Finance; that Miss Nicola Brogan replace Mr Danny Baker as a Member of the Committee for Infrastructure; that Miss Áine Murphy replace Ms Emma Sheerin as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office; that Miss Jemma Dolan replace Mrs Ciara Ferguson as a member of the Audit Committee; that Mrs Sinéad Ennis replace Miss Áine Murphy as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; that Ms Carál Ní Chuilĺn be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; and that Mr Declan McAleer be appointed as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Philip McGuigan

The Question being put the motion was carried.

6. Executive Committee Business

6.1 Motion: The draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put the motion was carried.

6.2 First Stage: Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, introduced a Bill to make provision about the status of, and for the advancement of, British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language.

The Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

6.3 Legislative Consent Motion: Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of Northern Ireland’s inclusion in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce a progressive smoking ban across the UK and to stop vapes and other nicotine products being branded and advertised to appeal to children, insofar as the provisions of that Bill relate to matters falling within the legislative competence of the NI Assembly and agrees to the Bill’s extension to Northern Ireland.

Minister of Health

Debate ensued.

The debate stood suspended for Question Time, the Speaker took the Chair.

7. Question Time

7.1 Communities

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7.2 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

8.1 Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: High Court Ruling

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

9. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

9.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Tobacco and Vapes Bill (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

The Question being put the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

10. Private Members’ Business

10.1 Motion: Hospitality VAT Harmonisation

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to our local economy; notes that the December 2024 UK Budget Impact response from Hospitality Ulster highlighted that the hospitality industry generates an annual turnover of almost £1.9 billion and supports around 77,500 jobs, accounting for 4 out of every 5 tourism-related jobs; acknowledges that the hospitality sector, as a cornerstone of the economic landscape and fundamental to tourism growth, requires protection; further recognises that the sector faces unfair competition from the Republic of Ireland, with reports that the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for hospitality is to be reduced from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent; further notes that the Department for the Economy recently launched its tourism vision and action 10-year plan, with a target to double tourism in ten years to £2 billion; believes that the Department for the Economy and the Department of Finance cannot plan for growth in tourism whilst overseeing the decline of Northern Ireland’s tourism infrastructure, in particular the hospitality sector; further believes that the problems facing the hospitality industry are cross-cutting in nature and require an Executive response; calls on the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance to work jointly with Hospitality Ulster to engage with HM Treasury and secure a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to advocate for a reduction in the VAT rate for hospitality in Northern Ireland to align with the Republic of Ireland; and further calls on the Executive to step in and provide support until such time as Westminster can be convinced of the special case to reduce VAT to provide a level playing field.

Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr John Stewart
Mr Andy Allen
Dr Steve Aiken

Debate ensued.

The Question being put the motion was carried.

11. Assembly Business (cont’d)

11.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 10 February 2025 under Standing Order 10(3A)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 10 February 2025 be extended to no later than 7.30pm.

Business Committee

The Question being put the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

12. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

12.1 Motion: Support for Carers

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers to society, including parents caring for children with additional needs; notes with regret that carers have been badly let down by inadequate social security support, leaving many living in poverty whilst caring for a loved one; further notes that many carers struggle to combine paid work with unpaid care; and calls on the Minister for Communities to introduce a carer’s allowance supplement scheme, as recommended by the Carer Poverty Commission NI, to provide vital financial support to carers across Northern Ireland.

Mr Gerry Carroll

Amendment:

Proposed:

After ‘Northern Ireland’ insert:

‘; and further calls on the Executive to adopt a cross-departmental approach to provide wider support to unpaid carers, including through the provision of paid carer’s leave from work and adequate access to respite services.’

Ms Sian Mulholland
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mrs Michelle Guy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

13. Adjournment

Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.43pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
10 February 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 5 February 2025 to 10 February 2025.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/17 The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Health)

SR 2025/18 The Waste (Materials Facilities) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Draft SR 2025/XXXX The Farm Sustainability (Transitional Provisions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2025/20 The Further Education (Student Support) (Eligibility) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for the Economy)

SR 2025/21 The Rates (Small Business Hereditament Relief) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Finance)

SR 2025/23 The Emergency Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

SR 2025/22 The Gaming (Gaming Machines in Registered Clubs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

SR 2025/24 The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

For Information Only

SR 2025/2 The Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Thirty First Report (NIA 75/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Public Expenditure 2024-25 - Response to Storm Éowyn and Other Pressures (Minister of Finance)

Industrial Action to be taken by Teachers (Minister of Education)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Construction Industry Training Board NI Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2024 (Construction Industry Training Board NI)

Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan 2024-2026 (Department of Justice)

SI 2025/124 The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025 (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) (Laid in Error)

Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2024-2025 (Department of Finance)

Northern Ireland Estimates Vote on Account 2025-2026 (Department of Finance)

Northern Ireland Estimates Statement of Excesses 2023-2024 (Department of Finance)

9. Publications Presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly