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 Danny Baker
Mr Keith Buchanan
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Mr Cathal Boylan
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Mr Gerry Carroll
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mrs Deborah Erskine

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Update on the Investigation on Potential Unauthorised Resource Budget Overspend (NI Water)

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding an Update on the Investigation on Potential Unauthorised Resource Budget Overspend (NI Water), following which she replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Second Stage: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15/22-27)

The junior Minister, Mrs Pam Cameron, moved the Second Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.59 pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

5.2 Assembly Commission

Questions were put to, and answered by, Members of the Assembly Commission.

The Speaker took the Chair.

6. Question for Urgent Oral Answer

6.1 A5 Western Transport Corridor: High Court Ruling

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, responded to a Question for Urgent Oral Answer tabled by Mrs Deborah Erskine.

The Deputy Speaker , Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

7.1 Second Stage: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15/22-27) (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (NIA Bill 15 /22-27) passed Second Stage.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

7.2 Motion: The draft Legal Complaints and Regulation (Penalty) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Legal Complaints and Regulation (Penalty) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

Minister of Finance

Motion: The draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Appeals) Regulations 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Appeals) Regulations 2025 be approved.

Minister of Finance

Motion: The draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Levy) Regulations 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Levy) Regulations 2025 be approved.

Minister of Finance

A single debate ensued all three motions.

The Question being put, the motion on the draft Legal Complaints and Regulation (Penalty) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on the draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Appeals) Regulations 2025 was carried.

The Question being put, the motion on draft Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (Levy) Regulations 2025 was carried.

The Speaker took the Chair.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: End Israeli Impunity in Gaza

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza that has killed over 50,000, according to figures published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and left many thousands suffering from physical, psychological and emotional wounds; further condemns the use of starvation by Israel as a weapon of war that has left many, particularly children, facing starvation and suffering malnutrition; deplores the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools; further deplores the targeting of journalists, medical staff, paramedics and humanitarian workers; is deeply distressed about the ongoing denial of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the targeting of civilians trying to access aid; commends the efforts to bring aid into Gaza by the Madleen Freedom Flotilla which was illegally boarded and taken over by Israeli forces in international waters; further commends the efforts of Palestinian solidarity groups in Ireland for continuing to raise the plight of the Palestinian people; welcomes the recent decision by third level institutions such as Queen's University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin to divest from Israeli investments; expresses its support for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the upholding of human rights and international law; calls on the British Government to immediately suspend all arms sales and transfers to Israel and to recognise the state of Palestine; and further calls on the Irish Government to pass and enact the Occupied Territories Bill in full and put an end to the Central Bank of Ireland facilitating the sale of Israel’s war bonds.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Pat Sheehan

Amendment

Leave out all after ‘condemns’ and insert:

‘the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of civilians, and the continued holding of hostages, and appeals for their immediate and unconditional release; reaffirms that all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is of equal value and must be protected under international law; deplores the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, journalists, medical personnel and humanitarian workers; opposes Iran’s destabilising role in the region through its sponsorship of terrorist groups; recognises Israel’s right to defend itself, but expresses grave concern that the scale and conduct of its military campaign in Gaza has caused levels of destruction and civilian casualties that may constitute breaches of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality and humanity; rejects any form of collective punishment, including the denial of access to food, water, medical care and essential services, and further opposes any forced displacement of the Gaza population; supports the urgent establishment of UN-led humanitarian corridors and medical access; and calls on the UK Government to take all necessary diplomatic steps to secure a swift and sustained ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, unrestricted humanitarian access, and to support renewed efforts towards a two-state solution in which both Israel and Palestine can exist in peace and security.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Robbie Butler

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment fell (Division 1).

The Question being put, the motion was carried (Division 2).

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Diana Armstrong spoke to her topic regarding Access to Justice and Legal Services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

The Assembly adjourned at 8.04pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
24 June 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

24 June 2025 – Division 1

Amendment: End Israeli Impunity in Gaza

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘condemns’ and insert:

‘the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of civilians, and the continued holding of hostages, and appeals for their immediate and unconditional release; reaffirms that all civilian life, whether Palestinian or Israeli, is of equal value and must be protected under international law; deplores the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, journalists, medical personnel and humanitarian workers; opposes Iran’s destabilising role in the region through its sponsorship of terrorist groups; recognises Israel’s right to defend itself, but expresses grave concern that the scale and conduct of its military campaign in Gaza has caused levels of destruction and civilian casualties that may constitute breaches of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality and humanity; rejects any form of collective punishment, including the denial of access to food, water, medical care and essential services, and further opposes any forced displacement of the Gaza population; supports the urgent establishment of UN-led humanitarian corridors and medical access; and calls on the UK Government to take all necessary diplomatic steps to secure a swift and sustained ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, unrestricted humanitarian access, and to support renewed efforts towards a two-state solution in which both Israel and Palestine can exist in peace and security.’

Mr Doug Beattie
Dr Steve Aiken
Mr Robbie Butler

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 27

Noes: 28

AYES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Buckley, Mr Butler.

NOES

Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Durkan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Miss Hargey, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McNulty, Mrs Mason, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin.

Tellers for the Noes: Miss Dolan, Miss Murphy.

The amendment fell.

Northern Ireland Assembly

24 June 2025 – Division 2

Motion: End Israeli Impunity in Gaza

Proposed:

That this Assembly condemns the ongoing genocide in Gaza that has killed over 50,000, according to figures published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and left many thousands suffering from physical, psychological and emotional wounds; further condemns the use of starvation by Israel as a weapon of war that has left many, particularly children, facing starvation and suffering malnutrition; deplores the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools; further deplores the targeting of journalists, medical staff, paramedics and humanitarian workers; is deeply distressed about the ongoing denial of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the targeting of civilians trying to access aid; commends the efforts to bring aid into Gaza by the Madleen Freedom Flotilla which was illegally boarded and taken over by Israeli forces in international waters; further commends the efforts of Palestinian solidarity groups in Ireland for continuing to raise the plight of the Palestinian people; welcomes the recent decision by third level institutions such as Queen's University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin to divest from Israeli investments; expresses its support for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the upholding of human rights and international law; calls on the British Government to immediately suspend all arms sales and transfers to Israel and to recognise the state of Palestine; and further calls on the Irish Government to pass and enact the Occupied Territories Bill in full and put an end to the Central Bank of Ireland facilitating the sale of Israel’s war bonds.

Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Pat Sheehan

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 44

Noes: 27

AYES

Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Mr Carroll, Mr Delargy, Mr Dickson, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Ms Kimmins, Mrs Long, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Dolan, Miss Murphy.

NOES

Dr Aiken, Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Stewart.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Buckley, Mr Butler.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

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 24 June 2027.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Child Support Enforcement Act (Northern Ireland) 2025

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

Report on the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Rare Cancers Bill (NIA 105/22-27) (Committee for Health)

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 24 June 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage