Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at noon, 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 Deirdre Hargey
Mrs Diane Dodds
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Maolíosa McHugh
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Diane Forsythe

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

3. Opposition Business

3.1 Motion: Breaches of the Ministerial Code of Conduct

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the refusal by DUP Ministers to attend North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings in 2021, obstructing essential cross-border cooperation and defying the Good Friday Agreement; acknowledges the findings of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards into this matter, which found that these Ministers breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct, thereby undermining public trust in government; affirms that all ministers are duty-bound to uphold the Ministerial Code of Conduct in good faith; asserts that the NSMC must not be held hostage for political means; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to work with the British and Irish Governments to initiate a review of Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement, to ensure it remains fit to support and enhance cross-border cooperation, and contributes, alongside other reforms, to the functioning of secure and stable institutions for all communities in Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 1).

3.2 Motion: Future EU Relationship

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the beginning of the democratic consent process; calls for the Executive to continue their efforts to operate the Protocol/Windsor Framework as smoothly as possible; further calls on the Secretary of State to ensure that any independent review into the functioning of the Windsor Framework, as provided for under Schedule 6a of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, investigates and makes proposals to the UK and EU on other related post-Brexit issues affecting all communities in Northern Ireland, including, but not limited to, disruptions to cross-border trade in services and provision of public services, improved access to Erasmus for Northern Ireland-based students and institutions, increased participation for Northern Ireland residents and community organisations in the fullest possible range of EU programmes, increased support for Northern Ireland businesses to maximise the advantages of dual market access, options for Northern Ireland representation in the European Parliament reflecting our rights as EU citizens and obligations under EU law, and any other measures which could bring economic or social benefits to this region befitting its unique post-Brexit status.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Proposed:

After ‘under EU law,’ insert:

‘urgent delivery of a comprehensive and ambitious UK-EU veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, an electronic travel authorisation tourist exemption for international visitors coming to Northern Ireland from Ireland,’

Mr Éoin Tennyson
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr David Honeyford
Mr John Blair

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 1.55pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt.

4.2 Infrastructure

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Opposition Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion: Future EU Relationship (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was made (Division 2).

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Universal, Affordable Child-centred Childcare

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the provision of affordable and child-centred childcare as a key piece of social and economic infrastructure; acknowledges the impact that rising childcare costs are having on families; further acknowledges the funding challenges faced by providers; notes that the existing free hours childcare model is insufficient in addressing these challenges; calls on the Minister of Education to prioritise the publication of an Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, including an ambition to reduce costs for all families by 50 per cent by 2030; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Finance to ensure that any additional Barnett consequential funding, resulting from increased funding for childcare in England, will be ring-fenced for the same purposes in Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘providers;’ and insert:

‘welcomes progress toward addressing these challenges, and the expansion and stabilisation of existing early years and childcare provision, through the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme and transitioning all funded pre-school education places to 22.5 hours per week; stresses the need for the Department for the Economy to advance a market assessment of childcare providers in order to expedite delivery of the targeted business support scheme agreed by the Executive; calls on the Minister of Education, building on ongoing work to build the evidence base necessary to inform development of long-term measures, to prioritise the publication of an Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, including meaningful actions to support child development, improve the affordability of childcare for families and support parents, including women, to work; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Finance to secure a commitment that the allocation of any additional Barnett consequential funding, including that resulting from increased funding for childcare in England, will reflect the need to deliver more affordable childcare as an immediate and standalone priority of the draft Programme for Government.’

Mr David Brooks
Mr Peter Martin

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

Leave out ‘reduce costs for all families by 50 per cent’ and insert:

‘provide universal free childcare’

Mr Gerry Carroll

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 was made.

As amendment 1 was made the question was not put on amendment 2.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5.3 Motion: Belfast City Centre Dereliction

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses deep concern over dereliction in Belfast City Centre, particularly the Tribeca Belfast site, which has contributed to a growing sense of squalor and decay; recognises the consequences of prolonged dereliction, including lost revenue from unpaid rates on vacant properties, reduced footfall and lower community morale; calls on the Minister of Finance to address city centre dereliction through the introduction of a vacant land tax to discourage long-term land banking, and to ensure that land in prime locations is used effectively for the benefit of the economy and community, including options to reflect the historic significance of the Assembly Rooms in the enlightenment of Belfast; and further calls on the Minister to work with Land and Property Services to conduct a full review of rates due across the Tribeca Belfast site, and to work with the Minister for Communities and the Minister for the Economy to engage proactively with Belfast City Council on their proposals for the site.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after first ‘dereliction’ and insert:

‘in parts of Belfast City Centre, which has contributed to a growing sense of squalor and decay; expresses frustration at delays in the proposed urban regeneration of the Tribeca Belfast site, as well as dilapidation on a number of main arterial routes into the City Centre, including the Newtownards Road, Peter's Hill and Sandy Row; recognises the consequences of prolonged dereliction, including lost revenue from unpaid rates on vacant properties, reduced footfall, anti-social behaviour and lower community morale; opposes long-term land banking but is concerned that the introduction of a vacant land tax could create a chill factor for investment and unfairly penalise land owners in circumstances where developments stall for reasons beyond their control; calls on the Minister of Finance to address city centre dereliction and to ensure that publicly and privately owned land in prime locations is used effectively for the benefit of the economy and community, including through options to reflect the historic significance of the Assembly Rooms in the enlightenment of Belfast; and further calls on the Minister to work with Land and Property Services to regularly review rates due across the Tribeca Belfast site, and to work alongside Executive colleagues to engage proactively with land owners and Belfast City Council on their proposals for the site.’

Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Paul Frew
Mr David Brooks
Mr Brian Kingston

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment fell (Division 4).

The Question being put the motion was carried.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 6.26pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
18 November 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

18 November 2024 – Division 1

Motion: Breaches of the Ministerial Code of Conduct

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the refusal by DUP Ministers to attend North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings in 2021, obstructing essential cross-border cooperation and defying the Good Friday Agreement; acknowledges the findings of the Assembly Commissioner for Standards into this matter, which found that these Ministers breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct, thereby undermining public trust in government; affirms that all ministers are duty-bound to uphold the Ministerial Code of Conduct in good faith; asserts that the NSMC must not be held hostage for political means; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to work with the British and Irish Governments to initiate a review of Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement, to ensure it remains fit to support and enhance cross-border cooperation, and contributes, alongside other reforms, to the functioning of secure and stable institutions for all communities in Northern Ireland.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 50
Noes: 31

AYES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, 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 Á Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Ms Sugden, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr McGlone, Ms McLaughlin.

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

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston.

The motion was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

18 November 2024 – Division 2

Amendment: Future EU Relationship

Proposed:

After ‘under EU law,’ insert:

‘urgent delivery of a comprehensive and ambitious UK-EU veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, an electronic travel authorisation tourist exemption for international visitors coming to Northern Ireland from Ireland,’

Mr Éoin Tennyson
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr David Honeyford
Mr John Blair

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 48
Noes: 33

AYES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Dickson, Mr McMurray.

NOES
Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Crawford, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, 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 Brooks, Mr Harvey.

The amendment was made.

Northern Ireland Assembly

18 November 2024 – Division 3

Motion as Amended: Future EU Relationship

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the beginning of the democratic consent process; calls for the Executive to continue their efforts to operate the Protocol/Windsor Framework as smoothly as possible; further calls on the Secretary of State to ensure that any independent review into the functioning of the Windsor Framework, as provided for under Schedule 6a of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, investigates and makes proposals to the UK and EU on other related post-Brexit issues affecting all communities in Northern Ireland, including, but not limited to, disruptions to cross-border trade in services and provision of public services, improved access to Erasmus for Northern Ireland-based students and institutions, increased participation for Northern Ireland residents and community organisations in the fullest possible range of EU programmes, increased support for Northern Ireland businesses to maximise the advantages of dual market access, options for Northern Ireland representation in the European Parliament reflecting our rights as EU citizens and obligations under EU law, urgent delivery of a comprehensive and ambitious UK-EU veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, an electronic travel authorisation tourist exemption for international visitors coming to Northern Ireland from Ireland, and any other measures which could bring economic or social benefits to this region befitting its unique post-Brexit status.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 48
Noes: 32

AYES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Á Murphy, Mr C Murphy, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Hunter, Mr McCrossan.

NOES
Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Crawford, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, 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 Brooks, Mr Harvey.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

Northern Ireland Assembly

18 November 2024 – Division 4

Amendment: Belfast City Centre Dereliction

Proposed:

Leave out all after first ‘dereliction’ and insert:

‘in parts of Belfast City Centre, which has contributed to a growing sense of squalor and decay; expresses frustration at delays in the proposed urban regeneration of the Tribeca Belfast site, as well as dilapidation on a number of main arterial routes into the City Centre, including the Newtownards Road, Peter's Hill and Sandy Row; recognises the consequences of prolonged dereliction, including lost revenue from unpaid rates on vacant properties, reduced footfall, anti-social behaviour and lower community morale; opposes long-term land banking but is concerned that the introduction of a vacant land tax could create a chill factor for investment and unfairly penalise land owners in circumstances where developments stall for reasons beyond their control; calls on the Minister of Finance to address city centre dereliction and to ensure that publicly and privately owned land in prime locations is used effectively for the benefit of the economy and community, including through options to reflect the historic significance of the Assembly Rooms in the enlightenment of Belfast; and further calls on the Minister to work with Land and Property Services to regularly review rates due across the Tribeca Belfast site, and to work alongside Executive colleagues to engage proactively with land owners and Belfast City Council on their proposals for the site.’

Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Paul Frew
Mr David Brooks
Mr Brian Kingston

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 21
Noes: 37

AYES
Mr Allen, Mr Bradley, Mr Brooks, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mr Crawford, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew.

NOES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Dickson, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Miss Á Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McGrath, Mr O’Toole.

The amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 13 November 2024 to 18 November 2024.

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

Report on Public Procurement in Northern Ireland (Public Accounts Committee) (NIA 60/22-27)

Report on Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2023-24 (Public Accounts Committee) (NIA 61/22-27)

Letter to the Minister of Finance setting out the Audit Committee Report on Draft Budgets 2025-26 for the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) and the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (NIAC) (Audit Committee) (NIA 58/22-27)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Public Expenditure Budget 2025-26: UK Funding Available (Minister of Finance)

Public Expenditure Budget 2025-26: Changes To Resource DEL Barnett Consequentials (Minister of Finance)

Public Expenditure: Technical Adjustments following the 2024-25 October Monitoring Round (Minister of Finance)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Independent Neurology Inquiry Retention and Disposal Schedule (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, Department for Communities)

A review of implementation of the Bathing Water Regulations in Northern Ireland (The Office for Environmental Protection)

A report on an Unannounced Inspection of Hydebank Wood Secure College, 21 May – 6 June 2024, November 2024 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

A report on an Unannounced Inspection of Hydebank Wood Women’s Prison, 21 May – 6 June 2024, November 2024 (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024 (Department for Communities)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Consultation documents on Disposal facilities for solid radioactive waste: guidance on requirements for authorisation (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
NIEA Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2023 – A Report by the Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)