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:

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr Alan Robinson
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Ciara Ferguson
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Timothy Gaston

3. Public Petition

Diagnosis and Management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ms Connie Egan was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition on Diagnosis and Management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Assembly Business

4.1 Motion: Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Budget for the Financial Year 2025-26

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the contents of the Assembly Commission’s budget for 2025-26, as presented to the Audit Committee on 13 November 2024 and set out in the document presented to the Assembly on 20 November 2024; further notes the contents of the letter from the Audit Committee to the Minister of Finance (NIA 58/22-27) on the scrutiny of the Assembly Commission’s budget for 2025-26, presented to the Assembly on 18 November 2024: and agrees the Assembly Commission’s budget for 2025-26.

Assembly Commission

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Ministerial Statement

5.1 Housing Supply Strategy

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding the Housing Supply Strategy, following which he replied to questions.

5.2 Rating Policy – Strategic Road Map

The Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, made a statement regarding a Rating Policy Strategic Road Map.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Ms Michelle O’Neill. The junior Minister, Ms Aisling Reilly, also answered a number of questions.

6.2 Health

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

7. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

7.1 Traffic Congestion: Belfast City Centre

The Minister for Infrastructure, Mr John O’Dowd, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mr Matthew O’Toole.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8. Ministerial Statement (cont’d)

8.1 Rating Policy – Strategic Road Map (cont’d)

The Statement resumed, following which the Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, replied to questions.

9. Executive Committee Business

9.1 Legislative Consent Motion: Arbitration Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions in the Arbitration Bill.

Minister of Justice

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

10. Committee Business

10.1 Motion: Welfare Supplementary Payments

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its concern at the impending March 2025 deadline for the review of Welfare Supplementary Payments under the Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022; recognises the vital role that these mitigation payments play in supporting vulnerable individuals and families affected by welfare reforms; calls on the Minister for Communities to commit to preserving these payments at no less than their current levels beyond March 2025 and to initiate clear, proactive communication with all current recipients about their entitlement; and further calls on the Minister to prioritise legislative planning and coordination with the Executive to secure robust, long-term mitigation protections for those most adversely impacted by welfare reform, with a clear timeline for implementation.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

The motion was not moved.

11. Private Members’ Business

11.1 Motion: 40th Anniversary of Nexus

Proposed:

That this Assembly congratulates Nexus on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary; reaffirms its commitment to, and support for, actions to tackle all forms of sexual abuse and abusive relationships; and commends all those working to support people impacted by sexual abuse and abusive relationships.

Ms Claire Sugden
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mrs Linda Dillon
Ms Diane Forsythe

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 5.38pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
9 December 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 4 December 2024 to 9 December 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2024/204 The Marine Licensing (Application Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2024/XXXX The Climate Change (2040 Emissions Target) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) (Revised)

For Information Only

SR 2024/205 The Waiting Restrictions (Whitehead) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/206 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/207 The On-Street Parking (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/208 The Urban Clearways (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/209 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Limavady) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/210 The Parking Places on Roads (Saintfield) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committee Twenty-Eighth Report of Session 2024 – 2025 (NIA 65/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Medical Gas Pipes in the New Maternity Hospital (Department of Health)

Extension of The Welfare Supplementary Payment Schemes (Department for Communities)
Net Northern Ireland Emissions Account for the Year 2030 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Report to the Assembly on proposed changes to current member contribution bandings and rates within the Police Pensions Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 (Department of Justice)

Office for Environmental Protection Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 (for the year from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024) (Office for Environmental Protection) (Corrected)

9. Publications Presented to the Northern Ireland Assembly