Minutes of Proceedings
Session: Session currently unavailable
Date: 08 September 2026
The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.
1. Prayers
Members observed two minutes’ silence.
2. Speaker’s Business
2.1 Assembly Business
The Speaker informed Members that he would not be in the Assembly the following week as he would be representing the Assembly at the Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in South Africa.
3. Members’ Statements
Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:
Mr Pat Sheehan
Mr David Brooks
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Mr Jonathan Buckley
Mr Andrew McMurray
Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Timothy Gaston
Ms Cheryl Brownlee
Mr Daniel McCrossan
Mr Colm Gildernew
Miss Nicola Brogan
4. Public Petition
4.1 Pancreatic Cancer UK - Demand Survival Now
Mr Stewart Dickson was granted leave, in accordance with Standing Order 22, to present a Public Petition relating to ‘Pancreatic Cancer UK - Demand Survival Now’.
5. Executive Committee Business
5.1 Second Stage: Renewable Electricity Generation Bill (NIA Bill 42/22-27)
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.
The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, moved Second Stage of the Renewable Electricity Generation Bill (NIA Bill 42/22-27).
Debate ensued.
The Renewable Electricity Generation Bill [NIA Bill 42/22-27] passed Second Stage.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
6. Executive Committee Business
6.1 Final Stage: Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27)
The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Mr Andrew Muir, moved that the Final Stage of the Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27) do now pass.
Debate ensued.
The sitting was suspended at 12.55pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.
7. Question Time
7.1 Communities
Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons.
The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.
8. Executive Committee Business (cont’d)
8.1 Final Stage: Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27) (cont’d)
Debate resumed.
The Dilapidation Bill (NIA Bill 21/22-27) passed Final Stage.
9. Committee Business
9.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill (NIA Bill 38/22-27)
Proposed:
That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 5 February 2027, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill.
Chairperson, Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Debate ensued.
The Question being put, the motion was carried.
The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.
10. Private Members’ Business
10.1 Second Stage: Regional Balance Bill (NIA Bill 35/22-27)
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin moved Second Stage of the Regional Balance Bill (NIA Bill 35/22-27).,
Debate ensued.
The Regional Balance Bill [NIA Bill 42/22-27] passed Second Stage.
11. Adjournment
Proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
The Speaker
Mr Keith Buchanan spoke to his topic regarding Road Conditions in Mid Ulster.
The Assembly adjourned at 6.58pm.
Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
08 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
Papers Presented to the Assembly on 8 September 2026.
1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly
2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly
3. Orders in Council
4. Statutory Rules
For Information Only
SR 2026/155 The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Closure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (Department for the Economy)
5. Legislative Consent Memorandums
6. Assembly Reports
Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules to the Assembly and the Appropriate Committees Seventy-second Report (NIA 192/22-27) (Examiner of Statutory Rules)
7. Written Ministerial Statements
Department of Education Position Paper on ‘PISA 2025: Confronting Decline, Raising Ambition’ (Minister of Education)
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 at 8 September 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills
|
Title & |
First |
Second Stage |
Comm. Stage to Conclude |
Report Ordered to be Printed |
CS |
FCS |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|
Budget Bill 01/22-27 |
19.02.2024 |
19.02.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
20.02.2024 |
20.02.2024 |
20.02.2024 |
14.03.2024 |
|
Hospital Parking Charges Bill 02/22-27 |
15.04.2024 |
16.04.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
23.04.2024 |
29.04.2024 |
07.05.2024 |
16.05.2024 |
|
Defective Premises Bill 03/22-27 |
20.05.2024 |
03.06.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
11.06.2024 |
18.06.2024 |
02.07.2024 |
20.09.2024 |
|
Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill 04/22-27 |
20.05.2024 |
03.06.2024 |
08.11.2024 |
07.11.2024 |
28.01.2025 |
18.02.2025 |
03.03.2025 |
18.06.2025 |
|
Child Support Enforcement Bill 05/22-27 |
17.06.2024 |
25.06.2024 |
13.12.2024 |
28.11.2024 |
24.02.2025 |
18.03.2025 |
08.04.2025 |
23.06.2025 |
|
Budget (No. 2) Bill 06/22-27 |
01.07.2024 |
02.07.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
09.09.2024 |
16.09.2024 |
23.09.2024 |
18.10.2024 |
|
Justice Bill 07/22-27 |
17.09.2024 |
01.10.2024 |
27.03.2026 |
26.03.2026 |
02.06.2026 08.06.2026 09.06.2026 15.06.2026 16.06.2026 22.06.2026 23.06.2026 30.06.2026 |
|
|
|
|
Agriculture Bill 08/22-27 |
25.11.2024 |
03.12.2024 |
23.05.2025 |
23.05.2025 |
09.06.2025 |
17.06.2025 |
30.06.2025 |
16.09.2025 |
|
Sign Language Bill 10/22-27 |
10.02.2025 |
18.02.2025 |
13.02.2026 |
12.02.2026 |
24.03.2026 |
20.04.2026 |
28.04.2026 |
09.07.2026 |
|
Budget Bill 11/22-27 |
17.02.2025 |
18.02.2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
24.02.2025 |
25.02.2025 |
25.02.2025 |
06.03.2025 |
|
School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill 12/22-27 |
18.02.2025 |
03.03.2025 |
30.08.2025 |
03.07.2025 |
15.09.2025 |
29.09.2025 |
13.10.2025 |
19.02.2026 |
|
Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill 13/22-27 |
25.03.2025 |
07.04.2025 |
01.10.2025 |
17.09.2025 |
04.11.2025 |
18.11.2025 |
02.12.2025 |
25.02.2026 |
|
Budget (No. 2) Bill 14/22-27 |
03.06.2025 |
09.06.2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
10.06.2025 |
16.06.2025 |
16.06.2025 |
28.07.2025 |
|
Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouse) and Redress Scheme Bill 15/22-27 |
16.06.2025 |
24.06.2025 |
26.01.2026 |
29.01.2026 |
19.05.2026 |
22.06.2026 |
30.06.2026 |
|
|
Adult Protection Bill 16/22-27 |
17.06.2025 |
30.06.2025 |
27.03.2026 |
26.03.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill 17/22-27 |
23.06.2025 |
16.09.2025 |
03.07.2026 |
03.07.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Ireland Fiscal Council Bill 18/22-27 |
23.06.2025 |
01.07.2025 |
27.03.2026 |
18.03.2026 |
05.05.2026 |
26.05.2026 |
15.06.2026 |
|
|
Administrative and Finance Provisions Bill 19/22-27 |
23.06.2025 |
01.07.2025 |
27.03.2026 |
11.03.2026 |
20.04.2026 |
26.05.2026 |
15.06.2026 |
|
|
Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 20/22-27 |
23.06.2025 |
01.07.2025 |
12.12.2025 |
10.12.2025 |
17.02.2026 |
03.03.2026 |
24.03.2026 |
24.06.2026 |
|
Dilapidation Bill 21/22-27 |
23.06.2025 |
01.07.2025 |
15.05.2026 |
12.05.2026 |
16.06.2026 |
30.06.2026 |
08.09.2026 |
|
|
RHI (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill 22/22-27 |
06.10.2025 |
20.10.2025 |
27.02.2026 |
25.02.2026 |
24.03.2026 |
20.04.2026 |
12.05.2026 |
17.06.2026 |
|
General Teaching Council Bill 23/22-27 |
24.11.2025 |
02.12.2025 |
27.05.2026 |
20.05.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
Budget Bill 25/22-27 |
23.02.2026 |
24.02.2026 |
N/A |
N/A |
02.03.2026 |
03.03.2026 |
10.03.2026 |
20.03.2026 |
|
Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill 26/22-27 |
03.03.2026 |
16.03.2026 |
27.11.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hospital Parking Charges Bill 29/22-27 |
09.03.2026 |
10.03.2026 |
N/A |
N/A |
24.03.2026 |
14.04.2026 |
20.04.2026 |
06.05.2026 |
|
Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill 30/22-27 |
16.03.2026 |
20.04.2026 |
13.11.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill 31/22-27 |
13.04.2026 |
27.04.2026 |
30.10.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill 32/22-27 |
20.04.2026 |
28.04.2026 |
20.11.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Education Inspections Bill 34/22-27 |
19.05.2026 |
01.06.2026 |
09.12.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charities (Amendment) Bill 36/22-27 |
15.06.2026 |
23.06.2026 |
11.12.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harbours Bill 37/22-27 |
15.06.2026 |
23.06.2026 |
30.09.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill 38/22-27 |
22.06.2026 |
30.06.2026 |
05.02.2027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill 39/22-27 |
22.06.2026 |
30.06.2026 |
07.10.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Renewable Electricity Generation Bill 42/22-27 |
30.06.2026 |
08.09.2026 |
20.10.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills
|
Title & |
First |
Second Stage |
Comm. Stage to Conclude |
Report Ordered to be Printed |
CS |
FCS |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|
Budget Bill 01/22-27 |
19.02.2024 |
19.02.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
20.02.2024 |
20.02.2024 |
20.02.2024 |
14.03.2024 |
|
Hospital Parking Charges Bill 02/22-27 |
15.04.2024 |
16.04.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
23.04.2024 |
29.04.2024 |
07.05.2024 |
16.05.2024 |
|
Defective Premises Bill 03/22-27 |
20.05.2024 |
03.06.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
11.06.2024 |
18.06.2024 |
02.07.2024 |
20.09.2024 |
|
Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill 04/22-27 |
20.05.2024 |
03.06.2024 |
08.11.2024 |
07.11.2024 |
28.01.2025 |
18.02.2025 |
03.03.2025 |
18.06.2025 |
|
Child Support Enforcement Bill 05/22-27 |
17.06.2024 |
25.06.2024 |
13.12.2024 |
28.11.2024 |
24.02.2025 |
18.03.2025 |
08.04.2025 |
23.06.2025 |
|
Budget (No. 2) Bill 06/22-27 |
01.07.2024 |
02.07.2024 |
N/A |
N/A |
09.09.2024 |
16.09.2024 |
23.09.2024 |
18.10.2024 |
|
Justice Bill 07/22-27 |
17.09.2024 |
01.10.2024 |
27.03.2026 |
26.03.2026 |
02.06.2026 08.06.2026 09.06.2026 15.06.2026 16.06.2026 22.06.2026 23.06.2026 30.06.2026 |
|
|
|
|
Title & |
First |
Second Stage |
Comm. Stage to Conclude |
Report Ordered to be Printed |
CS |
FCS |
Final Stage |
Royal Assent |
|
Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Bill 09/22-27 |
04.02.2025 |
17.02.2025 |
16.05.2025 |
08.04.2025 |
13.05.2025 |
03.06.2025 |
16.06.2025 |
16.09.2025 |
|
Areas with Natural Constraints (Payments) Bill 24/22-27 |
16.02.2026 |
23.03.2026 |
22.01.2027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill 27/22-27 |
03.03.2026 |
13.04.2026 |
18.09.2026 |
01.07.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
Irish-medium Education (Workforce Plan) Bill 28/22-27 |
03.03.2026 |
14.04.2026 |
30.08.2026 |
03.07.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hunting with Dogs Bill 33/22-27 |
27.04.2026 |
26.05.2026 |
05.02.2027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regional Balance Bill 35/22-27 |
08.06.2026 |
08.09.2026 |
20.10.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
School Uniforms (Trousers) Bill 40/22-27 |
22.06.2026 |
30.06.2026 |
07.10.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tree Protection Bill 41/22-27 |
29.06.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Housing (Amendment) Bill 43/22-27 |
30.06.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Display of Flags and Emblems Bill 44/22-27 |
30.06.2026 |
07.09.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill 45/22-27 |
30.06.2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age Discrimination (Goods, Facilities and Services) Bill 46/22-27 |
30.06.2026 |
|
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|
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