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 Pádraig Delargy
Mr Brian Kingston
Mrs Michelle Guy
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Timothy Gaston
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Peter Martin

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways Meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding the North South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways meeting, following which she replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Second Stage: Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Second Stage of the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill (NIA Bill 18/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair

4.2 Second Stage: Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27)

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, moved the Second Stage of the Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

4.3 Second Stage: Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved the Second Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27).

Debate ensued.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Economy

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

5.2 The Executive Office

Questions were put to, and answered by, the First Minister, Ms Michelle O’Neill.

6. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

6.1 Second Stage: Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

The Insolvency (Amendment) Bill (NIA Bill 20/22-27) passed Second Stage.

6.2 Second Stage: Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Second Stage of the Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Administrative and Financial Provisions Bill (NIA Bill 19/22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6.3 Legislative Consent Motion: Animal Welfare (Import of Cats, Dogs and Ferrets) Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions within the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, as introduced in the House of Commons on 16 October 2024, which enables the making of legislation for the purpose of promoting the welfare of dogs, cats or ferrets, when bringing any of those animals into the United Kingdom.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: New Standing Order

Proposed:

After Standing Order 18B insert:

18C. Executive Legislation Programme

(1) In each calendar year, time should be allocated for a debate on the programme of Executive legislation which Ministers intend to introduce to the Assembly during that session (‘the Legislation Programme’).

(2) The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly should table a motion to debate the Legislation Programme.

(3) The motion referred to in paragraph (2) should be tabled within a period of 20 working days beginning with the first day on which the Business Committee meets following the summer recess.

(4) If a motion to debate the Legislation Programme is tabled, the Business Committee must select that motion for debate and a vote in the Assembly.

(5) The debate and vote on the Legislation Programme should take place within a period of 10 working days beginning with the day on which the motion is tabled.

(6) Where no motion to debate the Legislation Programme is tabled within the period set out in paragraph (3), the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly should, as soon as is practicable, make an oral or written ministerial statement to the Assembly on the Legislation Programme.

(7) The statement referred to in paragraph (6) should –

(a) give reasons why a motion to debate the Legislation Programme has not been tabled, and

(b) set out a revised date for the tabling of a motion to debate the Legislation Programme in that calendar year.

Chairperson, Committee on Procedures

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried with cross-community support.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 5.17pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
1 July 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Ms Kate Nicholl arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Ms Paula Bradshaw) during the period 31 March 2025 to 28 December 2025.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 01 July 2025

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/121 The Compensation Orders (Disqualified Directors) Proceedings (No. 2) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Justice)

SR 2025/122 The Social Security (Income and Capital Disregards) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Communities)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Education)

Department of Finance Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25 for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General - Waste Crime in Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland Audit Office)

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 (Department of Finance)

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 1 July 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage