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 Pat Sheehan
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mrs Michelle Guy
Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Nick Mathison

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

3. Opposition Business

3.1 Motion: Tackling Paramilitarism

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the ongoing presence of paramilitary organisations is harming community cohesion, economic development and the overall stability of Northern Ireland; notes with concern the persistent incidents of paramilitary activity, including intimidation, extortion, and violence, which continue to undermine the rule of law and the safety of our citizens; further notes with regret the continued attempts by groups linked to paramilitary organisations to influence policy decisions in the absence of a democratic mandate or transparent governance structures; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to introduce a comprehensive review of the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme to ensure that actions within the final Programme for Government genuinely tackle the scourge of paramilitarism in our society.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

3.2 Motion: Declaration of a Housing Emergency

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the growing crisis in housing availability, which is exacerbated by an inadequate supply of social housing, underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure, the growing impact of second home ownership on local communities and the lack of an effective Empty Homes Strategy; notes the increasing difficulties experienced by first-time buyers; expresses regret at the failure to deliver previous targets aimed at increasing the supply of safe, sustainable and affordable housing; calls on the Minister for Communities to immediately declare a housing emergency, to allocate the necessary funding and resources to address these interconnected issues, and to work with other relevant Ministers, local councils and housing bodies to expedite solutions that will increase the availability of affordable and sustainable housing; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Finance to secure a commitment that any additional Barnett Consequential funding emanating from additional housebuilding in England and Wales, will be ring-fenced for the same purposes in Northern Ireland with the aim of building at least 50,000 additional homes by 2032 at the latest.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58pm.

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.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Opposition Business (cont’d)

5.1 Motion: Declaration of a Housing Emergency (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Failure to Produce a River Basin Management Plan

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the failure of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to consistently meet the deadline for the publication and implementation of a comprehensive River Basin Management Plan required under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017; notes the findings of the recent Office for Environmental Protection report on water quality, published in September 2024, which highlighted significant shortcomings in Northern Ireland’s water management, including the persistent failure to meet water quality standards, the deterioration of river and lake ecosystems, and the lack of effective mitigation measures to address pollution; expresses reservations as to whether the Lough Neagh Action Plan has the ability to deliver meaningful improvements in water quality without an updated River Basin Management Plan; recognises that without an effective River Basin Management Plan, there are cross-border environmental, public health and economic consequences, including increased flood risks, threats to biodiversity, and an adverse impact on sectors which are reliant on clean freshwater sources, including agriculture and tourism; affirms the importance of holding the Department accountable for its statutory obligations under environmental law; demands immediate action to reverse the ongoing deterioration of Northern Ireland’s water quality; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to urgently finalise, publish and implement an updated River Basin Management Plan ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are fully engaged in the process.

Leader of the Opposition


Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘to address pollution;’ and insert:

‘recognises that without an effective River Basin Management Plan, there are cross-border, environmental, public health and economic consequences, including increased flood risks, threats to biodiversity and an adverse impact on sectors which are reliant on clean freshwater sources, including agriculture and tourism; affirms the importance of holding the Department accountable for its statutory obligations under environmental law; demands immediate, proportionate action to reverse the ongoing deterioration of Northern Ireland’s water quality, comprising all sectors of society; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in line with commitments contained in the Lough Neagh Action Plan, to complete his Department’s review of the draft third cycle River Basin Management Plan, and bring forward a programme of strategic measures to improve water quality, by December 2024, whilst ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are fully engaged in the process.’

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr William Irwin

Debate ensued.

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

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

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mrs Diane Dodds spoke to her topic regarding Breast Cancer Waiting Times in Upper Bann.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.16pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
15 October 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

15 October 2024 – Division

Amendment: Failure to Produce a River Basin Management Plan

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘to address pollution;’ and insert:

‘recognises that without an effective River Basin Management Plan, there are cross-border, environmental, public health and economic consequences, including increased flood risks, threats to biodiversity and an adverse impact on sectors which are reliant on clean freshwater sources, including agriculture and tourism; affirms the importance of holding the Department accountable for its statutory obligations under environmental law; demands immediate, proportionate action to reverse the ongoing deterioration of Northern Ireland’s water quality, comprising all sectors of society; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in line with commitments contained in the Lough Neagh Action Plan, to complete his Department’s review of the draft third cycle River Basin Management Plan, and bring forward a programme of strategic measures to improve water quality, by December 2024, whilst ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are fully engaged in the process.’

Miss Michelle McIlveen
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr William Irwin

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 56
Noes: 16

AYES
Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Bradley, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Brett, Miss Brogan, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mrs Cameron, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dillon, Mrs Dodds, Mr Donnelly, Mr Dunne, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Erskine, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Harvey, Mr Honeyford, Mr Irwin, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Miss McIlveen, Mr McMurray, Mr McReynolds, Mr Martin, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Á Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr Robinson, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Brooks, Mr T Buchanan.

NOES
Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Crawford, Mr Durkan, Ms Hunter, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr Nesbitt, Mr O'Toole, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin.

The amendment was made.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 15 October 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

For Information Only

SR 2024/179 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/180 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Belfast) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/181 The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No. 5) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/182 The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Derry/Londonderry) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

SR 2024/183 The Parking Places on Roads (Electric Vehicles) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024 (Department for Infrastructure)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

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 15 October 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills