Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Principal Deputy 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 Declan Kearney
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mr John Blair
Mr Robbie Butler
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mr Tom Buchanan
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Paul Frew
Mr Matthew O’Toole
Ms Emma Sheerin
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Phillip Brett

3. Ministerial Statement

3.1 Curriculum-Led Capital Investment Programme

The Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan, made a statement regarding a Curriculum-Led Capital Investment Programme, following which he replied to questions.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

4. Executive Committee Business

4.1 Second Stage: Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27)

The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, moved the Second Stage of the Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27).

Debate ensued.

The Agriculture Bill (NIA Bill 08/22-27) passed Second Stage.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 Motion: All-island Rail Fares

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the growing disparity in the cost of rail fares between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; acknowledges the significant role of affordable public transport in promoting social mobility, reducing carbon emissions, and facilitating economic growth across the island of Ireland; recognises that Northern Ireland’s lack of ambition in relation to public transport has led to significant fare imbalances, creating inequality for cross-border commuters; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to work with the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy to bring forward proposals to better align rail fares between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the context of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and to undertake an assessment of the feasibility of creating a unified fare structure for cross-border rail services that encourages greater economic integration, reduces barriers to movement, and promotes regional development across the island of Ireland.

Mr Justin McNulty
Mr Matthew O’Toole


Amendment:

Proposed:

Leave out all after ‘economic growth across’ and insert:

‘all jurisdictions; welcomes the four ongoing rail feasibility studies focusing on plans for the electrification of the railway from Belfast to the border, the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn railway line with an additional stop at Belfast International Airport, the reinstatement of the Portadown to Armagh route, and a new line between Portadown and Londonderry; recognises, however, that a lack of ambition in relation to public transport in some areas, including County Fermanagh, has led to significant imbalances, creating inequality regionally, in addition to fare disparities for cross-border commuters; calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to work with the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy to bring forward proposals to better align rail fares and service planning between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the context of the investment in cross-border and regional rail infrastructure, envisaged by the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Union Connectivity Review; and further calls on the Minister to undertake an assessment of the feasibility of creating an aligned fare structure for cross-border rail services that encourages greater economic growth, reduces barriers to movement, and promotes regional development in all jurisdictions.’

Mrs Deborah Erskine
Mr Stephen Dunne
Mr Keith Buchanan

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.55pm.

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.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6.2 Assembly Commission

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

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

7. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: All-island Rail Fares (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Diane Forsythe spoke to her topic regarding the Need for Significant Roadworks Across South Down.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.51pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
3 December 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 3 December 2024.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

Draft SI 2024/XXXX The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

Farm Support and Development Programme Update (Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Department’s response to the OEP review of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive Regulations and River Basin Planning in Northern Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

Welfare Supplementary Payments, Discretionary Support, Standards of Advice and Assistance, Sanctions Annual Report 2023/2024 (Department for Communities)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Quarterly Sickness Absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service July 2024 – September 2024 (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 3 December 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills