Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 14 September 2026
The Assembly met at noon, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Matters of the Day
2.1 Summit on the Break-up of the United Kingdom
Mrs Emma Little-Pengelly, under Standing Order 24, made a statement on the Summit on the Break-up of the United Kingdom. Other Members were also called to speak on the matter.
3. Members’ Statements
Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:
Miss Áine Murphy
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Peter McReynolds
Mr Jon Burrows
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Pat Sheehan
Ms Diane Forsythe
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mrs Cathy Mason
4. Assembly Business
4.1 Motion: Extension of Sitting on Monday 14 September 2026 under Standing Order 10(3A)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3A), the sitting on Monday 14 September 2026 be extended to no later than 9.00pm.
Business Committee
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
5. Opposition Business
5.1 Motion: Agreement on a Budget
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses deep concern at the Executive’s failure to agree a Budget; notes Pivotal’s recent assessment that the absence of a Budget is a serious failure which is damaging public services and preventing effective planning, investment and reform; acknowledges that analysis by the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council points to discrepancies in the funding of Northern Ireland versus other devolved regions; supports efforts to secure a fair and sustainable funding settlement from the UK Government; believes that the pursuit of additional funding cannot be at the expense of public service delivery; agrees that the failure to perform this most basic function of government reflects wider dysfunction across the Executive; calls on the Minister of Finance to urgently outline how he intends to address the crisis facing public services in Northern Ireland and secure agreement on a Budget; and further calls on the new UK Government to engage constructively with the Executive throughout this process.
Leader of the Opposition
Amendment 1:
Leave out all after "That this Assembly" and insert:
‘acknowledges that analysis by the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council points to the comparative underfunding of the Executive versus other devolved regions; supports efforts to secure a fair and sustainable funding settlement from the British Government; believes that the absence of an agreed Budget for 2026-27 is creating significant uncertainty for departments and placing increasing pressure on the delivery of our public services; further believes that it is imperative that an agreed Budget is put in place as soon as possible after agreement has been reached with the British Government around a fair and sustainable funding outcome; and calls on the British Government to engage constructively with the Executive to agree a funding settlement that enables us to set a sustainable Budget, drive transformation and deliver better outcomes for our people.’
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Miss Áine Murphy
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Amendment 2:
Leave out all after "Fiscal Council" and insert:
‘confirms that funding Northern Ireland equitably with other devolved jurisdictions would be worth between £1 billion and £3.5 billion more per year to the Executive; supports efforts to secure a fair and sustainable funding settlement from the UK Government; recognises that agreeing the draft budget without additional funding would have resulted in drastic cuts to public services; agrees that repeated cycles of government collapse, the waste associated with segregated public services and the failure to transform those services have contributed significantly to the Executive’s financial pressures; calls on the Minister of Finance to urgently outline how he intends to address the crisis facing public services in Northern Ireland and secure agreement on a Budget; and further calls on the new UK Government to engage constructively with the Executive throughout this process.’
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 1.54pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair.
6. Question Time
6.1 Economy
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
6.2 Education
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Education, Mr Paul Givan.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
7. Opposition Business (cont’d)
7.1 Motion: Agreement on a Budget (cont’d)
Debate resumed.
The Question being put, amendment 1 was made (Division).
As Amendment 1 was made, Amendment 2 was not called.
The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.
7.2 Motion: Building on the Success of the Fleadh
Proposed:
That this Assembly affirms that the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was a resounding success for Belfast and the wider region, showcasing world-class culture and hospitality; commends Belfast City Council, the Executive departments and agencies involved in making it a success, as well as the hundreds of volunteers; takes pride in the diversity of culture on show, with all the traditions of this region and island being celebrated and esteemed, including a wide range of bands from the unionist tradition; pledges to learn the lessons of the Fleadh's success, including the possible expansion of pedestrianisation in Belfast and other cities, increased funding for the arts and urban regeneration, greater flexibility on alcohol and entertainment licensing and the realisation that expressions of our cultural diversity can be a source of strength and pride rather than division.
Leader of the Opposition
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair
7.3 Motion: Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises that the climate crisis is already impacting communities, public services and the economy; welcomes the Executive Office consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy; further recognises the significant potential benefits from the expansion of AI technology; believes, however, that these opportunities must be balanced against the environmental and infrastructure demands associated with large-scale AI data centres; is concerned that the centres’ significant energy and water requirements could place further pressure on already constrained infrastructure, increase costs for consumers and make it harder to meet Northern Ireland’s climate targets; further believes that these consequences must be fully understood before further large-scale development takes place; and calls for a moratorium on new large-scale AI data centres until a full cost-benefit analysis of their economic, environmental, and social impacts has been completed.
Leader of the Opposition
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
8. Private Members’ Business
8.1 Second Stage: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill (NIA Bill 44/22-27) (cont’d)
Debate resumed.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
The Second Stage of the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill did not conclude prior to the Assembly adjourning and, in accordance with Standing Order 10(3C), stood postponed until such times as the Business Committee determines.
9. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
The Assembly adjourned at 9.00pm.
The Speaker
14 September 2026
Northern Ireland Assembly
Proxy Voting Notifications
In line with Standing Order 27A, Miss Jemma Dolan arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mrs Sinéad Ennis) during the period 7 September 2026 to 7 March 2027.
Northern Ireland Assembly
14 September 2026 – Division
Amendment 1 – Motion: Agreement on a Budget
Proposed:
Leave out all after "That this Assembly" and insert:
‘acknowledges that analysis by the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council points to the comparative underfunding of the Executive versus other devolved regions; supports efforts to secure a fair and sustainable funding settlement from the British Government; believes that the absence of an agreed Budget for 2026-27 is creating significant uncertainty for departments and placing increasing pressure on the delivery of our public services; further believes that it is imperative that an agreed Budget is put in place as soon as possible after agreement has been reached with the British Government around a fair and sustainable funding outcome; and calls on the British Government to engage constructively with the Executive to agree a funding settlement that enables us to set a sustainable Budget, drive transformation and deliver better outcomes for our people.’
Miss Deirdre Hargey
Miss Áine Murphy
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
The Question was put and the Assembly divided.
Ayes: 57
Noes: 10
AYES
Mr Allen, Dr Archibald, Ms D Armstrong, Mr Baker, Mr Beattie, Mr Boggs, Mr Boylan, Mr Bradley, Mr Brett, Miss Brogan, Mr Brooks, Ms Brownlee, Mr K Buchanan, Mr T Buchanan, Mr Buckley, Ms Bunting, Mr Burrows, Mrs Cameron, Mr Chambers, Mr Clarke, Mr Delargy, Mrs Dillon, Mrs Dodds, Miss Dolan, Mr Dunne, Ms Ennis, Mrs Erskine, Ms Ferguson, Ms Finnegan, Ms Flynn, Ms Forsythe, Mr Frew, Mr Gildernew, Mr Givan, Miss Hargey, Mr Harvey, Mr Kelly, Ms Kimmins, Mr Kingston, Mrs Little-Pengelly, Mr Lyons, Mr McAleer, Mr McGuigan, Miss McIlveen, Mr Martin, Mrs Mason, Mrs Middleton, Ms Murphy, Mr Nesbitt, Ms Ní Chuilín, Mr O'Dowd, Ms Reilly, Mr Robinson, Mr Sheehan, Ms Sheerin, Mr Stewart, Mr Wilson.
Tellers for the Ayes: Miss Hargey, Miss Murphy
NOES
Mr Carroll, Mr Durkan, Mr Gaston, Ms Hunter, Mr McCrossan, Mr McGlone, Mr McGrath, Ms McLaughlin, Mr McNulty, Mr O'Toole
Tellers for the Noes: Mr McGrath, Mr O’Toole
The amendment was carried.
Votes cast by proxy:
Miss Dolan’s vote was cast by Mrs Ennis.
Northern Ireland Assembly
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 8 September to 14 September 2026.
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
SR 2026/156 The Tobacco Retailer (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Health)
SR 2026/157 The Housing Benefit (Earned Income Disregards) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for Communities)
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
6. Assembly Reports
7. Written Ministerial Statements
RQIA Neurology Deceased Patients Review (DPR) (Minister of Health)
8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly
Lay Observer Annual Report April 2025 - June 2026 (Department of Finance)
Financial Reporting Advisory Board Annual Report 2025 - 2026 (Department of Finance)
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Records Retention and Disposal Schedule (Department for Communities)
School Uniforms Guidelines – School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department of Education)
