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 Declan Kearney
Mr Peter Martin
Mrs Michelle Guy
Dr Steve Aiken
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Gary Middleton
Ms Aisling Reilly
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Matthew O’Toole

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

Mr Gerry Carroll

3. Assembly Business

3.1 Further Consideration Stage: Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27)

Mr Andy Allen, on behalf of the Assembly Commission, moved the Further Consideration Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27).

No amendments were selected for debate.

The Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27) stood referred to the Speaker for consideration in accordance with Section 10 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

4. Ministerial Statement

4.1 British-Irish Council Transport Ministerial meeting

The Minister for Infrastructure, Ms Liz Kimmins, made a statement regarding a British-Irish Council Transport Ministerial meeting, following which she replied to questions.

5. Executive Committee Business

5.1 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2025-26

Proposed:

That this Assembly approves that a sum, not exceeding £27,431,599,000, be granted out of the Consolidated Fund, for or towards defraying the charges for the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2026 and that resources, not exceeding £30,772,659,000, be authorised for use by the Northern Ireland Departments, the Food Standards Agency, the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission, the Northern Ireland Audit Office, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation, the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland for the year ending 31 March 2026 as summarised for each Department or other public body in Column 2 of Table 1 in the volume of the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2025-26 laid before the Assembly on 21 May 2025.

Minister of Finance

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.51pm.

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

6. Question Time

6.1 Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

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

7. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: Supply Resolution for the Northern Ireland Main Estimates 2025-26 (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

7.2 First Stage: Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 14/22-27)

The Minister of Finance, Mr John O’Dowd, introduced a Bill to authorise the use for the public service of certain resources for the year ending 31 March 2026 (including income); to authorise the issue out of the Consolidated Fund of certain sums for the service of that year; to authorise the use of those sums for specified purposes; and to authorise the Department of Finance to borrow on the credit of those sums.

The Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 14/22-27) passed First Stage and was ordered to be printed.

The Speaker informed the Assembly that he had received a letter from the Committee for Finance, for under Standing Order 42(2), advising that the Committee is satisfied that the Budget (No. 2) Bill can proceed under the accelerated passage procedure.

The Deputy Speaker Aiken took the Chair.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Joanne Bunting spoke to her topic regarding Social and Affordable Housing in East Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.10pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
3 June 2025

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 3 June 2027.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

Budget (No. 2) Bill (NIA Bill 14/22-27)

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

SR 2025/XXXX The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs)

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

Rare Cancers Bill (Department of Health)

6. Assembly Reports

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 3 June 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage