Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Speaker’s Business

2.1 Written and Oral Ministerial Statements

Responding to a Point of Order, the Speaker reiterated his expectation that major ministerial announcements should be made to the Assembly to enable Members to ask questions. In particular, on sitting days it is expected that Ministers make announcements to the House through statements first and not to the media. While there may occasionally be exceptional circumstances to make a written ministerial statement on a sitting day, the general expectation has always been that, on sitting days, Ministers should make their statements in the Chamber so that Members have the opportunity to raise questions

3. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Mr Pádraig Delargy
Mr Tom Buchanan
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mrs Diane Dodds
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Peter Martin

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 Project

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding the Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 Project, following which she replied to questions.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Further Consideration Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27).

No amendments were tabled to the Bill.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

6. Private Members’ Business

6.1 Motion: Strategic Planning for an Ageing Population

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises our ageing population and the challenges and opportunities this presents for public services; acknowledges the vital contributions of older people while recognising the pressures on healthcare, social care, housing, transport, and the economy; notes that failure to plan strategically will place unsustainable strain on public services, exacerbate inequalities, and impact the wider population; calls on the Executive to develop a cross-departmental strategy to ensure services are adapted and resourced to meet the needs of an ageing society; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to embed ageing population planning in the final Programme for Government 2024-2027, to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience in public services.

Ms Claire Sugden

Debate ensued

The Question be.ing put the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 1.01pm.

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

7. Question Time

7.1 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir.

8. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

8.1 Motion: Improving Procurement Practices for Schools

Proposed:

That this Assembly acknowledges the vital importance of ensuring schools have access to high-quality goods and services that meet their particular needs; notes that public procurement policy does not prohibit schools from directly procuring low cost goods and services in a timely manner; further notes the concerns raised by schools and school leaders regarding the inflexibility and complexity of the Education Authority's (EA) current application of procurement policies; recognises that overly rigid and bureaucratic procurement processes can hinder schools' ability to achieve best value for money, respond quickly to local needs, and access small and local suppliers of relevant goods and services; and calls on the Minister of Education to conduct a review of the EA's application of procurement policy for schools with a focus on reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, providing flexibility for school leaders to make purchasing decisions within clear and transparent guidelines, and establishing regular engagement with school leaders to identify and address ongoing challenges in procurement policy.

Mr Pat Sheehan
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Danny Baker

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘'relevant goods and services;’ and insert:

‘calls on the Minister of Education to conduct a review of the EA's application of procurement policy for schools with a focus on reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, providing flexibility for school leaders to make purchasing decisions within clear and transparent guidelines, and establishing regular engagement with school leaders, to identify and address ongoing challenges in procurement policy; and further calls on the Minister of Education to work with the EA to advance plans to delegate authority to schools to procure low value maintenance works, as well as introduce new and more efficient contracts for the delivery of schools maintenance and minor works throughout Northern Ireland.’

Mr Peter Martin
Mr David Brooks

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

9. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

9.1 Final Stage: Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, moved that the Final Stage of the Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Budget Bill (NIA Bill 11/22-27) passed Final Stage with cross-community support.

10. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mrs Deborah Erskine spoke to her topic regarding the lack of dentists and out of hours dental service in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.50pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
25 February 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 25 February 2025.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Erratum Northern Ireland Spring Supplementary Estimates 2024-25 (Department of Finance)

Draft Budget 2025-26 (Department of Finance)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Quarterly Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service October 2024 - December 2024 (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, Department of Finance)

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 25 February 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage