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 Adjournment Debate

The Speaker informed Members that he had received notification that Miss Órlaithí Flynn would not speak to her Adjournment Debate on improving mobile phone coverage in West Belfast.

3. Members’ Statements

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

Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr David Honeyford
Mr Declan Kearney
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Gerry Carroll
Mr Jonathan Buckley

4. Opposition Business

4.1 Motion: Increasing Fiscal Devolution

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that funding arrangements for public services in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose; and calls on the Executive to produce concrete options for fiscal devolution by September 2025.

Leader of the Opposition

Debate ensued.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

4.2 Motion: Establishment of an Infrastructure Commission

Proposed:

That this Assembly is alarmed at the continued failings in the delivery of major capital projects, as highlighted in recent reports by the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee; and calls on the Executive to establish an Infrastructure Commission by the end of this mandate.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘Committee’ and insert:

‘recognises the impact that legal challenges and inflation have had in delaying infrastructure projects; and calls on the Executive to explore the benefits of an Infrastructure Commission alongside prioritising the delivery of signature projects.’

Mr Cathal Boylan
Miss Nicola Brogan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The sitting was suspended at 12.51pm.

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

5. Question Time

5.1 Justice

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

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Opposition Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: NI Water Funding and Governance

Proposed:

That this Assembly regrets the state of our wastewater network; and calls on the Executive to commence an independent review of NI Water's funding and governance by September 2026.

Leader of the Opposition

Amendment 1:

Proposed:

After ‘network;’ insert:

‘notes that chronic underinvestment in our wastewater infrastructure is a major driver of waterway pollution and biodiversity loss, as well as blocking housebuilding and stifling economic growth; is concerned that NI Water’s current funding model imposes strict caps on what it can borrow and inhibits long-term capital planning;’

Mr Andrew McMurray
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr John Blair
Mr David Honeyford

Amendment 2:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘network;’ and insert:

‘opposes the introduction of water charges on already hard-pressed workers and families; acknowledges the need to ensure that NI Water is responsible in its management of public funds; welcomes the Minister for Infrastructure’s decision to appoint a forensic auditor to investigate how NI Water is managing its budget in light of its projected overspend; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to publish the findings of the audit when it concludes.’

Mr Cathal Boylan
Miss Nicola Brogan

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, amendment 1 fell.

The Question being put, amendment 2 was made.

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

7. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

The Assembly adjourned at 4.05pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
29 April 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

29 April 2025 – Division

Motion: Increasing Fiscal Devolution

Proposed:

That this Assembly agrees that funding arrangements for public services in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose; and calls on the Executive to produce concrete options for fiscal devolution by September 2025.

Leader of the Opposition

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 45
Noes: 32

AYES

Dr Archibald, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Carroll, Mr Dickson, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Mr Kearney, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr McReynolds, Mrs Mason, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Ms Hunter, Mr McGrath.

NOES

Mr Allen, Mr Beattie, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Butler, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Crawford, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Givan, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson, Mr Stewart, Ms Sugden.

Tellers for the Noes: Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew.

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 29 April 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

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland)

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 29 April 2025
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage