Order Paper

1.   Prayers

2.   Members’ Statements

3.   Question Time

3.1   Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

4.   Committee Business

Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill (NIA Bill 09/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 16 May 2025, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill.

Chairperson, Ad Hoc Committee on the Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill

5.   Private Members’ Business

Motion: Hydrogen Innovation Strategy

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises that Northern Ireland is fast emerging as an innovator in green hydrogen technology; believes there is a need to seize opportunities flowing from the production and storage of green hydrogen to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve our energy security and decarbonise transport; is committed to making Northern Ireland a hub for low-carbon and advanced manufacturing within the United Kingdom by harnessing our region’s open coastlines and expanding our hydrogen skills base even further, including through dedicated apprenticeships; calls on the Minister for the Economy to develop, and consult on, a dedicated hydrogen innovation strategy for Northern Ireland; and further calls on the Minister to open discussions with the UK Government to target greater access to funding streams and incentives for businesses, including small and medium enterprises, in the local hydrogen sector.

Mr Phillip Brett
Mr Gary Middleton
Mr Jonathan Buckley

Motion: Tackling the Financial and Societal Impacts of Division

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses grave concern at the cost of division in Northern Ireland, resulting in duplication of public services, additional policing and justice costs and foregone economic opportunities; notes that the cost of division was estimated to be up to £833 million per year by Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre in 2016; believes that is an unaffordable waste of the Executive’s scarce budget and would be better invested in tackling waiting lists, building social homes, improving education provision, increasing police officer numbers and delivering other priorities shared by local communities; further believes that there should be an updated assessment of the cost of division; calls on the Minister of Finance to include a statutory duty on the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council to assess the cost of division; and further calls on the Executive to develop a cross-departmental plan to tackle the financial and societal impacts of division in Northern Ireland.

Mr Eóin Tennyson
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Nick Mathison
Ms Connie Egan

6.   Adjournment

• Concerns around the roads infrastructure leading up to Craigavon Area Hospital

Mr Doug Beattie