Order Paper
Reference: OP 80/22-27
Date: 10 February 2025
- Indicative timings for the order of business
- Marshalled list of amendments
- Question for Urgent Oral Answer
The Assembly to sit at noon.
1. Prayers
2. Members’ Statements
3. Assembly Business
Motion: Committee Membership
Proposed:
That Ms Emma Sheerin replace Mr Philip McGuigan as a Member of the Committee for the Economy; that Mr Danny Baker replace Miss Jemma Dolan as a Member of the Committee for Justice; that Miss Jemma Dolan replace Miss Nicola Brogan as a member of the Committee for Finance; that Miss Nicola Brogan replace Mr Danny Baker as a Member of the Committee for Infrastructure; that Miss Áine Murphy replace Ms Emma Sheerin as a member of the Committee for the Executive Office; that Miss Jemma Dolan replace Mrs Ciara Ferguson as a member of the Audit Committee; that Mrs Sinéad Ennis replace Miss Áine Murphy as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; that Ms Carál Ní Chuilĺn be appointed as a member of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee; and that Mr Declan McAleer be appointed as a member of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.
Mrs Sinéad Ennis
Mr Philip McGuigan
4. Executive Committee Business
Motion: The draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025
Proposed:
That the draft Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Legislative Consent Motion: Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Proposed:
That this Assembly endorses the principle of Northern Ireland’s inclusion in the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill to introduce a progressive smoking ban across the UK and to stop vapes and other nicotine products being branded and advertised to appeal to children, insofar as the provisions of that Bill relate to matters falling within the legislative competence of the NI Assembly and agrees to the Bill’s extension to Northern Ireland.
Minister of Health
5. Question Time
6. Private Members’ Business
Motion: Hospitality VAT Harmonisation
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to our local economy; notes that the December 2024 UK Budget Impact response from Hospitality Ulster highlighted that the hospitality industry generates an annual turnover of almost £1.9 billion and supports around 77,500 jobs, accounting for 4 out of every 5 tourism-related jobs; acknowledges that the hospitality sector, as a cornerstone of the economic landscape and fundamental to tourism growth, requires protection; further recognises that the sector faces unfair competition from the Republic of Ireland, with reports that the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for hospitality is to be reduced from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent; further notes that the Department for the Economy recently launched its tourism vision and action 10-year plan, with a target to double tourism in ten years to £2 billion; believes that the Department for the Economy and the Department of Finance cannot plan for growth in tourism whilst overseeing the decline of Northern Ireland’s tourism infrastructure, in particular the hospitality sector; further believes that the problems facing the hospitality industry are cross-cutting in nature and require an Executive response; calls on the Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance to work jointly with Hospitality Ulster to engage with HM Treasury and secure a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to advocate for a reduction in the VAT rate for hospitality in Northern Ireland to align with the Republic of Ireland; and further calls on the Executive to step in and provide support until such time as Westminster can be convinced of the special case to reduce VAT to provide a level playing field.
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr John Stewart
Mr Andy Allen
Dr Steve Aiken
Motion: Support for Carers
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers to society, including parents caring for children with additional needs; notes with regret that carers have been badly let down by inadequate social security support, leaving many living in poverty whilst caring for a loved one; further notes that many carers struggle to combine paid work with unpaid care; and calls on the Minister for Communities to introduce a carer’s allowance supplement scheme, as recommended by the Carer Poverty Commission NI, to provide vital financial support to carers across Northern Ireland.
Mr Gerry Carroll
