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:

Ms Aoife Finnegan
Ms Joanne Bunting
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Ms Jemma Dolan
Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mr Colm Gildernew

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Final Stage: Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27)

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, moved that the Final Stage of the Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

The Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27) passed Final Stage.

3.2 Legislative Consent Motion: Employment Rights Bill

Proposed:

That this Assembly endorses the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 10 October 2024, relating to statutory sick pay as contained in clauses 12 and 13 of the Bill; the Fair Work Agency under Part 5 of the Bill and the saving provisions as set out in schedule 11 to the Bill as they relate to the Agricultural Wages (Regulations) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977; in relation to public-sector outsourcing of relevant contracts by bodies carrying out reserved functions in Northern Ireland; the protection of workers as set out in clause 30 of the Bill; the enforcement of relevant labour market legislation under Part 5 of the Bill as set out in schedule 7 and enabling the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with the consent of relevant Northern Ireland Departments, to increase the remit of the Fair Work Agency, in the future, on a range of labour market and employment legislation that may include Northern Ireland devolved legislation.

Minister for Communities

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

3.3 Motion: The draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

The Executive Office

Debate ensued.

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

The sitting was suspended at 1.01pm.

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

4. Question Time

4.1 Health

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Health, Mr Mike Nesbitt.

Question Time was suspended at 2.15pm and resumed at 2.32pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

5. Committee Business

5.1 Motion: Impact of the 2024 Autumn Budget Statement

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Committee for Finance and the Committee for the Economy’s report on the impact of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget statement on critical sectors, including business, community and voluntary and social enterprises; further notes that while the increases to the National Living and Minimum Wages are to be welcomed, their sudden nature, combined with the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions and wider cost of living increases, creates an environment in which many businesses, social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations may, at best, struggle and, at worst, cease operations; and calls on the Executive to develop a co-ordinated response to this crisis led by the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance
Chairperson, Committee for the Economy

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

5.2 Motion: Reports on the 2025-26 Draft Budget

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the Committee for Finance and the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council reports on the 2025-26 draft Budget and calls on the Minister of Finance to give due regard to their findings.

Chairperson, Committee for Finance

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

6. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mrs Michelle Guy spoke to her topic regarding lack of respite provision in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

The Assembly adjourned at 6.26pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
8 April 2025

Northern Ireland Assembly

8 April 2025 – Division

Motion: The draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025

Proposed:

That the draft Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.

The Executive Office

The Question was put and the Assembly divided.

Ayes: 51
Noes: 19

AYES

Mr Allen, Ms D Armstrong, Ms K Armstrong, Mr Beattie, Mr Blair, Mr Boylan, Ms Bradshaw, Miss Brogan, Mr Butler, Mr Carroll, Mr Chambers, Mr Crawford, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Miss Dolan, Mr Donnelly, Mr Durkan, Ms Egan, Mrs Ennis, Mrs Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Miss Flynn, Mr Gildernew, Mrs Guy, Miss Hargey, Mr Honeyford, Ms Hunter, Ms Kimmins, Mr McAleer, Miss McAllister, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Mr McGuigan, Mr McHugh, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McMurray, Mr McNulty, Mr Mathison, Mr Muir, Ms Mulholland, Miss Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Ms Nicholl, Mr O'Dowd, Ms O'Neill, Mr O'Toole, Ms Reilly, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Tennyson.

Tellers for the Ayes: Mr Finnegan, Miss Murphy.

NOES

Mr Brett, Mr Brooks, Mr K Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Clarke, Mrs Dodds, Mr Dunne, Mrs Erskine, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gaston, Mr Harvey, Mr Irwin, Mr Kingston, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mr Middleton, Mr Robinson.

Tellers for the Noes: Mr Harvey, Mr Kingston.

The motion was carried.

Votes cast by proxy:

Mr O’Toole’s vote was cast by Mr McGrath.

Ms Nicholl’s vote was cast by Ms Bradshaw.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Mr Matthew O’Toole arranged for his vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mr Colin McGrath) during the period 24 March 2025 to 12 April 2025.

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 8 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

Report on the Committee Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA 80/22-27) (Ad Hoc Committee on the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill)

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 (Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation)

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 8 April 2025

2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills

/ Bills progressing by accelerated passage