Order Paper

1. Prayers


2. Members’ Statements

3. Question Time

3.1 Health

4. Opposition Business

Motion: Tackling Paramilitarism

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that the ongoing presence of paramilitary organisations is harming community cohesion, economic development and the overall stability of Northern Ireland; notes with concern the persistent incidents of paramilitary activity, including intimidation, extortion, and violence, which continue to undermine the rule of law and the safety of our citizens; further notes with regret the continued attempts by groups linked to paramilitary organisations to influence policy decisions in the absence of a democratic mandate or transparent governance structures; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to introduce a comprehensive review of the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme to ensure that actions within the final Programme for Government genuinely tackle the scourge of paramilitarism in our society.

Leader of the Opposition

Motion: Declaration of a Housing Emergency

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the growing crisis in housing availability, which is exacerbated by an inadequate supply of social housing, underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure, the growing impact of second home ownership on local communities and the lack of an effective Empty Homes Strategy; notes the increasing difficulties experienced by first-time buyers; expresses regret at the failure to deliver previous targets aimed at increasing the supply of safe, sustainable and affordable housing; calls on the Minister for Communities to immediately declare a housing emergency, to allocate the necessary funding and resources to address these interconnected issues, and to work with other relevant Ministers, local councils and housing bodies to expedite solutions that will increase the availability of affordable and sustainable housing; and further calls on the Minister to work with the Minister of Finance to secure a commitment that any additional Barnett Consequential funding emanating from additional housebuilding in England and Wales, will be ring-fenced for the same purposes in Northern Ireland with the aim of building at least 50,000 additional homes by 2032 at the latest.

Leader of the Opposition

Motion: Failure to Produce a River Basin Management Plan

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the failure of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to consistently meet the deadline for the publication and implementation of a comprehensive River Basin Management Plan required under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017; notes the findings of the recent Office for Environmental Protection report on water quality, published in September 2024, which highlighted significant shortcomings in Northern Ireland’s water management, including the persistent failure to meet water quality standards, the deterioration of river and lake ecosystems, and the lack of effective mitigation measures to address pollution; expresses reservations as to whether the Lough Neagh Action Plan has the ability to deliver meaningful improvements in water quality without an updated River Basin Management Plan; recognises that without an effective River Basin Management Plan, there are cross-border environmental, public health and economic consequences, including increased flood risks, threats to biodiversity, and an adverse impact on sectors which are reliant on clean freshwater sources, including agriculture and tourism; affirms the importance of holding the Department accountable for its statutory obligations under environmental law; demands immediate action to reverse the ongoing deterioration of Northern Ireland’s water quality; and calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to urgently finalise, publish and implement an updated River Basin Management Plan ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are fully engaged in the process.

Leader of the Opposition

5. Adjournment

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Mrs Diane Dodds