The Assembly on Tuesday debated a motion of no confidence in Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir, following controversy over the culling of 51 cattle in Fivemiletown. The motion, tabled by the DUP and supported by the UUP and TUV, accused the Minister of losing the confidence of farmers and rural communities. During the debate, Alliance Party MLAs, including the Minister, walked out of the chamber in protest, drawing criticism from other members. The motion was ultimately defeated by 38 votes to 32.

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine, who proposed the motion, argued that the Minister had failed to provide timely and transparent answers after the cull, and that his response had deepened a breakdown in trust with the farming community. She referenced the Ulster Farmers' Union's vote of no confidence in the Minister and said the issue was about leadership and accountability. 'What we witnessed this morning was not the first time that Andrew Muir scurried away from scrutiny,' said TUV MLA Timothy Gaston.

Alliance leader Naomi Long described the motion as a 'political stunt' and defended the Minister's record. She accused the DUP of hypocrisy, noting that her party had opposed fox hunting and supported environmental measures. 'This is a sham motion that will achieve absolutely nothing,' she said, before leading her party out of the chamber. The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole criticised the walkout, saying it undermined accountability, but said his party would not support the motion. He called for a more constructive approach to scrutiny.

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy did not support the motion, but acknowledged concerns about the cull and called for a thorough review. Other parties split on the issue. The motion was defeated, with unionist parties and independent Claire Sugden voting in favour, and Sinn Féin, Alliance, SDLP and others voting against.

Earlier in the day, MLAs held a debate on health and social care transformation, calling on the Health Minister to accelerate reforms ten years after the Bengoa report. The motion condemned the failure to deliver on promises of transformation and warned of severe harm to patients due to delays. It also called for political leadership to build consensus on difficult decisions.

Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly, who proposed the motion, cited statistics on waiting lists, cancer treatment times and excess deaths linked to overcrowded emergency departments. 'The platform has been burning for 10 years, and the need to reform is now urgent,' he said. The SDLP amendment called for a shared programme of reform over the next five years, moving beyond party politics. Colin McGrath said a whole-government approach was needed, and that the Executive must take collective responsibility.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt responded to the debate, insisting that progress was being made and that transformation could not happen overnight. He pointed to reductions in waiting lists and investment in primary care. However, he acknowledged the scale of the challenge and said he would continue to work with parties to build consensus.

During Question Time, the Education Minister faced questions on special educational needs placements, school transport for children with disabilities, allergy safety in schools, and PISA results. Minister Paul Givan highlighted improvements in statutory assessment timescales and confirmed plans to consult on temporary variation policy to give parents more choice. He also announced a public consultation on allergy guidance for schools.

The Minister defended his decision to restrict departmental officials' attendance at the Education Committee, citing concerns about bullying and harassment. He said officials would attend for relevant matters but would not be subjected to inappropriate questioning.

Other business included a public petition calling for CAR T-cell therapy to be made available in Northern Ireland, and the extension of the Committee Stage of the Housing (Amendment) Bill. Members also made statements on the household electricity discount, the cost-of-living crisis, the Daisy Hill maternity services, and the cervical screening scandal.