Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 07 April 2025
The Assembly met at noon, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Matter of the Day
2.1 Impact of US Trade Tariffs on Northern Ireland
Mr Eóin Tennyson, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Impact of US Trade Tariffs on Northern Ireland. 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 Philip McGuigan
Mr Brian Kingston
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Keith Buchanan
Mr John Blair
Mrs Linda Dillon
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Ms Claire Sugden
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Timothy Gaston
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
4. Ministerial Statement
4.1 Final Budget 2025-26
The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, made a statement regarding the Final Budget 2025-26, following which he replied to questions.
5. Executive Committee Business
5.1 Second Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)
The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Second Stage of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27).
Debate ensued.
The debate and sitting were suspended at 1.55pm.
The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.
6.2 Finance
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd.
7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer
7.1 Fires in the Mourne Mountains
The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Ms Diane Forsythe.
8. Executive Committee Business
8.1 Second Stage: Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27)
Debate resumed.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
The Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill (NIA Bill 13/22-27) passed Second Stage.
8.2 Motion: The draft Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Proposed:
That the draft Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 be approved.
Minister of Health
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Speaker took the Chair.
9. Committee Business
9.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill (NIA Bill 12/22-27)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 3 December 2025, in relation to the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.
Chairperson, Committee for Education
Amendment:
Proposed:
Leave out ‘3 December 2025’ and insert: ’30 August 2025’
Mr David Brooks
Mr Peter Martin
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the amendment was made.
The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.
10. Assembly Business
10.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 7 April 2025 under Standing Order 10(3A)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 7 April 2025 be extended to no later than 8.00pm.
Business Committee
The Question being put the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.
11. Committee Business (cont’d)
11.1 Motion: Core Grant Scheme
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses disappointment that only 25 out of 259 community and voluntary sector groups were successful in their application for the new Core Grant Scheme; acknowledges the vital role that community and voluntary organisations play in supporting patients, alleviating pressure on our health services, and improving public health outcomes; notes that the current level of core grant funding falls significantly short of what is required to sustain and expand essential services in our communities, and that this will have a significant impact on the number patients receiving treatment and support in the community; urges the Minister of Health to engage meaningfully with stakeholders to secure long-term, sustainable investment in voluntary and community health services; and calls on the Minister to urgently review the amount of funding allocated to ensure that the sector is adequately supported.
Chairperson, Committee for Health
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
12. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 7.09pm.
Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
7 April 2025
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 2 April 2025 to 7 April 2025.
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
For information
SR 2025/71 The Road Races (Cookstown 100 Motor Cycle Road Race) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)
SR 2025/72 The Road Races (Craigantlet Hill Climb) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)
SR 2025/73 The Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Claims and Payments) (Amendment and Modification) Regulations (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-sixth Report (NIA 88/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Public Expenditure Final Budget 2025-26 (Minister of Finance)
Public Expenditure Final Budget 2025-26 (Amended) (Minister of Finance)
8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Revised Legislative Consent Memorandum: The Employment Rights Bill (Department for Communities)
Review of Implementation of Laws for Terrestrial and Freshwater Protected Sites in Northern Ireland (Office for Environmental Protection)
Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Report 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)
Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General PSNI Fleet Management (Northern Ireland Audit Office)
Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities Annual Report and Accounts to 30 September 2024 (Department for Communities)
The Effectiveness of Part 1 of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 Year Two Progress Review (Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland)
Commissioner for Older People Northern Ireland Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 (Department for Communities)
