Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy 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 Colm Gildernew
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mr Doug Beattie
Ms Cara Hunter
Mrs Linda Dillon
Mr Trevor Clarke
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Justin McNulty
Ms Aoife Finnegan
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Timothy Gaston

3. Ministerial Statements

3.1 TransformED NI - Transforming Teaching and Learning: A Strategy for Educational Excellence in Northern Ireland

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding TransformED NI - Transforming Teaching and Learning: A Strategy for Educational Excellence in Northern Ireland, following which he replied to questions.

3.2 North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral Meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding a North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral Meeting, following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

3.3 Update on the Enabling Access to Justice Programme

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, made a statement regarding an update on the Enabling Access to Justice Programme, following which she replied to questions.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Finance

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

5. Speaker's Business

5.1 Adjournment Debate

The Deputy Speaker informed Members that Mr Doug Beattie, in conjunction with the Business Committee, had agreed to defer his scheduled adjournment debate to Tuesday 25 March 2025.

6. Ministerial Statements (cont’d)

6.1 Update on the Enabling Access to Justice Programme (cont’d)

The Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long, resumed replying to questions on her statement.

6.2 Foot and Mouth Disease in Hungary, Avian Influenza and Bluetongue Virus

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, made a statement regarding Foot and Mouth Disease in Hungary, Avian Influenza and Bluetongue Virus, following which he replied to questions.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7. Committee Business

7.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Sign Language Bill (NIA Bill 10/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 13 February 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Sign Language Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: Women in Agriculture

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the significant under-representation of women in the agricultural sector; recognises the structural and cultural barriers that limit women’s participation, including traditional inheritance practices, access to land, finance, training, and decision-making roles; acknowledges the vital role women play in farm businesses, rural communities and the agri-food industry; understands the huge benefits to be gained from their increased contribution; further notes the recommendations in the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ Breaking the Grass Ceiling report; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to develop measures and initiatives to increase female participation and leadership within the sector.

Mr Declan McAleer
Miss Áine Murphy
Ms Aoife Finnegan

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘report’ and insert:

‘notes the January 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Review report by the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to encourage a partnership approach between his Department, the agricultural industry and representative bodies to work together on measures and initiatives to increase female participation and leadership within the agricultural sector.’

Mr John Blair
Ms Sian Mulholland
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Mr Andrew McMurray

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Reclassification of Ketamine

Proposed:

That this Assembly commends the campaign of Sandra Larmour, who has fought with great dignity to increase awareness, and seek reclassification, of ketamine following the tragic death of her daughter Jeni; is alarmed that the prevalence of ketamine has reached record levels in recent years; stresses that ketamine is an extremely dangerous substance and can lead to serious health problems, such as irreversible damage to the bladder and kidneys; further stresses that it is one of the most detected substances in incidents of spiking; recognises that behind every drug-related death is a bereaved family; welcomes the UK Government’s decision to commission advice on whether ketamine should become a Class A drug; and calls on the Minister of Justice to work with the Home Office to put in place arrangements to allow affected families and relevant stakeholders from Northern Ireland to inform that independent review and future decisions on the regulation and classification of ketamine.

Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Stephen Dunne

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8.3 Motion: Role of the Irish State during the Troubles

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the powerful and harrowing testimonies of victims' families and those affected by the Omagh bomb as part of the ongoing public inquiry and supports their quest for truth and justice; laments the lack of any tangible effort by the Irish Government to conduct their own inquiry into the atrocity or deal with the wider aftermath of our troubled past; and calls on the UK Government to initiate an inquiry into the role of the Irish state during the Troubles.

Mr Doug Beattie
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr John Stewart

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘troubled past,’ and insert:

‘believes a memorandum of understanding between the Omagh Bombing Inquiry and the Irish Government will be entirely deficient toward providing answers for the victims and their families; calls on the Irish Government to initiate a public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, with powers to compel any person in the Republic of Ireland to provide evidence, information, and material pertinent to a full and unfettered investigation on behalf of victims and survivors; and further calls on the Minister of Justice to practically demonstrate her commitment to challenging the Irish Government’s failure to investigate the role of the Irish state during the Troubles.’

Ms Joanne Bunting
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Tom Buchanan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 7.07pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
11 March 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 11 March 2025.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/47 The Direct Payments to Farmers (Cross-Compliance) (Revocation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

SR 2025/49 The Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2025/50 The Government Resources and Accounts Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 (Estimates and Accounts) (Designation of Bodies) Order 2025 (Department of Finance)

For Information Only

SR 2025/48 The Loading Bays on Roads (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

SI 2025/317 The Medicines (Products for Human Use) (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (Department of Health)

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 11 March 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage