The Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday began with tributes and controversial exchanges over the Garvaghy Road parade decision, before moving to substantive legislative business. MLAs welcomed the Secretary of State's decision to ban an Orange Order procession from the Garvaghy Road, with Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd urging politicians to "mind their words" after graffiti threatening a councillor's life appeared. DUP MLA Trevor Clarke demanded answers from the Chief Constable over his handling of the determination, asking what threats had been made.

The Assembly also heard passionate speeches on the A5 road upgrade following the Court of Appeal's ruling allowing the project to proceed. Sinn Féin's Nicola Brogan said the decision would save lives and deliver economic benefits, while DUP MLA Deborah Erskine focused on the treatment of landowners, criticising the use of 2024 land valuations for compensation.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins moved 15 amendments to the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill at Consideration Stage. The amendments, which were supported by the Committee for Infrastructure, clarify that SuDS approval functions will rest with the Department or NI Water, set maximum fines for offences, and require commencement within 12 months of Royal Assent. Committee Deputy Chair John Stewart said the changes provide "greater clarity regarding future governance arrangements".

Education Minister Paul Givan clashed with MLAs over the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill. He tabled amendments to rewrite the Bill for legal effectiveness but insisted it would cost £7 million this year and divert money from other education services. "Funding cannot be spent twice," he said. Bill sponsor Danny Baker welcomed that the Minister was planning for implementation by Christmas, but the Minister argued the Assembly should not create a permanent spending commitment without knowing how to pay for it.

During Question Time, Finance Minister John O'Dowd faced intense questioning on the lack of an Executive Budget and the consequent delay in public-sector pay rises. He confirmed a gap of over £1 billion between the UK Government's offer and the Executive's pressures. Opposition MLA Matthew O'Toole pressed for a date, saying workers were losing jobs while MLAs get a pay rise. O'Dowd responded by quoting O'Toole's past criticisms of the A5 project, to laughter from the Speaker.

Health Minister Mike Butler fielded questions on dentistry, hospital reconfiguration, and pay. He said access to NHS dentistry is improving in East Antrim but acknowledged wider decline. On pay, he warned that delays risk industrial action during winter and that the payroll window is closing. He also clarified that hospital network reconfiguration has not been paused, only the naming of services.

In other business, MLAs discussed a protest against Translink cuts, the Agriculture Minister's recent interview, and paid tribute to civil rights activist Michael Canavan. The Assembly also passed a motion to suspend standing orders and heard a petition to save St Malachy's Primary School in Kilclief.