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 Courtesies and Conventions of the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Speaker referred to the courtesies and conventions of the Assembly and said that he would be writing to all Members on this.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Miss Nicola Brogan
Mr Peter Martin
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Emma Sheerin
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Gerry Carroll

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 42nd British-Irish Council Summit Meeting

The deputy First Minister, Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly, made a statement regarding the 42nd British-Irish Council Summit Meeting, following which she replied to questions.

4.2 Intimidation Points within the Housing Selection Scheme

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding Intimidation Points within the Housing Selection Scheme, following which he replied to questions.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Consideration Stage: Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, moved the Consideration Stage of the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27).

A single amendment was tabled and selected for debate.

Clauses

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 1 stand part of the Bill.

After debate, Amendment 1 inserting new clause ‘Report on the operation of powers affecting age and qualifying earnings’ was made without division and it was agreed that the new clause stand part of the Bill.

The question being put, it was agreed without division that Clause 2 stand part of the Bill.

Long Title

The question being put, the Long Title was agreed without division.

The Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill (NIA Bill 04/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker.

5.2 Motion: The Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be affirmed.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The sitting was suspended at 12.58pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Finance

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.

7. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: The draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025 be approved.

Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

8. Private Members’ Business

8.1 Motion: Supporting a Public Health Approach to Tackling Gambling-Related Harms

Proposed:

That this Assembly welcomes the publication of the All-Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling's report, Public Health Approaches to Tackling Gambling Related Harms; agrees that gambling should be officially recognised as a public health issue in Northern Ireland; recognises that policies should incorporate population-based approaches that prioritise harm prevention, in line with the public health approach adopted for alcohol and tobacco; notes the urgent need to protect children and those already experiencing gambling harms from gambling-related marketing, which is currently both targeted and pervasive, particularly during sports broadcasts and on social media; calls on the Minister of Health to address the current unmet need within the healthcare system in Northern Ireland by commissioning statutory services specifically for gambling disorders; and further calls on all relevant Executive Departments to ensure the report's recommendations are carefully considered in the development of future policies aimed at preventing and mitigating gambling-related harms.

Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Justin McNulty

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

8.2 Motion: Commitment to the Proper Use of Public Monies

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the publication of the Review of the use of certain allowances under the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2016, by the Assembly’s Head of Legal Services; regrets that this was a purely paper based exercise which afforded no opportunity to challenge, in person, those who provided written evidence; further regrets that the Review muddies the waters in respect of what constitutes party political work and constituency work; further notes the media reporting which conflicts with the conclusions of the report about Michael McMonagle’s role; notes that if the report is to be believed, then there is an onus on the First Minister to correct the Assembly record of 7th October 2024, when she said that Michael McMonagle worked as a press officer; and calls for the Assembly Commission to ensure that, in future, there are regular and robust audits of how money is spent by MLAs and political parties under the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) Determination and the Financial Assistance for Political Parties Scheme, including information on employees’ place and hours of work and whether they are engaged in constituency or party work.

Mr Timothy Gaston

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

9. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Cara Hunter spoke to her topic regarding Potential closure of Riverside Theatre, Ulster University, Coleraine.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.36pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
28 January 2025

 
Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 28 January 2025.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/XXXX The Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Update on DAERA’s new programme of farm support (Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

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 28 January 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills