Proposed licensing law reforms pass key Assembly stage A marathon sitting of the Assembly during which MLAs considered dozens of amendments to the draft legislation ended in the early hours of this morning David Young and Rebecca Black, PA 09 June, 2021 11:33 Proposals to reform Northern Ireland’s licensing laws have taken a further step towards becoming law after passing a key Assembly stage. A marathon sitting of the Assembly during which MLAs considered dozens of amendments to the draft legislation ended in the early hours of this morning. The reforms include the removal of restrictions that currently limit trading hours over the Easter period.