Alan Chambers
North Down · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />A relatively recent piece of important character that was added to the village some years ago was the addition of a number of trees along Main Street.”
“It is my pleasure and privilege to present a petition signed by more than 1,500 people calling on the Department for Infrastructure to drop plans to chop down a number of mature street trees in Main Street, Groomsport. <BR /> <BR />Groomsport is a beautiful village with a strong community spirit.”
“Indeed, in the past week, it has been adjudged to be the best-kept town on the island of Ireland. It has many outstanding characteristics, including three lovely beaches with clean and pollution-free bathing water; a well-sheltered harbour that is reputed to have been first constructed by the Vikings; a modern children's playground; and t…”
“Minister, I sent a question for written answer in May 2025. You told me that your officials had identified a problem on the A48 in November 2024 and that a works order had been issued.”
“The Department's approach to the problem, however, has been to fire up the chainsaws. That is a shameful and unacceptably lazy plan. There are many engineering solutions that do not involve such crude environmental vandalism. Government policy, rather than to chop down healthy mature specimens, is to encourage more tree planting.”
“For many, the ability to start or grow a family is a major priority; for others, it is not a priority at all. When fertility problems stand in the way of that dream, the emotional toll can be immense. There has already been reference to the commitment in NDNA, which was one reason why my party very much welcomed that agreement.”
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Every one of 1,411 lines we hold for Alan Chambers, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 29.
“Mr Speaker, owing to illness, I was not in my place yesterday when you called me during Question Time. I apologise to you and the House.”
“Does the Minister agree that the lack of an agreed multi-year Budget or, indeed, a one-year Budget is preventing him from moving forward with many worthy projects that will contribute to better outcomes for patients, not only, quite rightly, in North Belfast but across Northern Ireland?”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, this is not an easy decision, but it is the right one in the current circumstances, reflecting the need for responsible governance that is grounded in financial reality. My party and I support the Bill.”
“Rather, it recognises that timing matters. By deferring implementation, we create the space needed to stabilise finances and protect essential services. I also welcome the flexibility built into the legislation. The use of regulations, subject to affirmative resolution, ensures that the Assembly retains control over when the Act is commenced. Equally, the provision for earlier implementation, should the financial position improve, is sensible. Importantly, protections remain in place. Free parking for staff will continue, and a needs-based approach will ensure that those who depend most on access to hospital parking are not disadvantaged. I am confident that the Minister will bear that in mind.”
“Members will all be well aware that the scale of the deficit and the pressure on front-line services are unlike anything that we have seen in recent years. Against that backdrop, the question before us is not whether abolishing parking charges is desirable — it clearly is — but whether that can be delivered without causing greater harm elsewhere in the system. The loss from trust budgets of approximately £7 million a year could not simply be absorbed; it would have consequences, and those consequences would be felt directly in patient care, with reduced services, longer waiting times or further strain on an already overstretched workforce. That is not a trade-off that the Assembly should make lightly. <BR /> <BR />The Bill represents a pragmatic and responsible step. It does not abandon the objective of abolishing charges.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on Final Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill. Like other Members, I recognise that this has been a constructive and, at times, challenging legislative process. It has highlighted just how deeply the issue resonates with not only our constituents but the staff and patients who rely on our health service every day. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the original intent behind the Hospital Parking Charges Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which was to ease the burden on those who already face significant pressures. That principle remains sound, and it is important that we do not lose sight of it. We must deal with the reality that is in front of us, however, not the circumstances of three years ago. The financial position facing our health and social care system is stark.”
“Minister, what other urgent care services are available that can safely manage non-emergency demand outside of emergency departments?”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I believe that supporting the amendment is a reasonable balance between recognising the financial necessity of the deferral and embracing the need for openness and accountability.”
“Sorry, I want to make progress. <BR /> <BR />It is important not to introduce administrative burdens or processes just for the sake of it. That is why we must ensure that efforts to enhance transparency do not inadvertently divert resources from the services that we are seeking to protect. <BR /> <BR />It is worth acknowledging that the amendment reflects a wider concern among Members about ensuring that decisions in this area are evidence-based and subject to appropriate scrutiny. That is a legitimate and important role for the Assembly — a role that should be welcomed rather than resisted. If all Ministers and political parties were prepared to listen to evidence, we could have avoided this morning's statement on minimum unit pricing.”
“While it has been made clear that the core costs associated with operating hospital car parks, such as the cost of rates, maintenance and the automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) systems, will remain broadly unchanged regardless of whether charges are in place, there is, nonetheless, value in setting out the information in a clear and accessible way. Doing so will allow Members and the public to better understand the financial implications of the Act and its deferral.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the spirit of needing to concentrate minds and resources on the areas that matter most, I will say that I sometimes question the benefit of, or value added by, amendments such as those that are before the House. A report for a report's sake would do little to improve the position for patients or staff. Overall, however, in this circumstance, the proposal to require an initial report on the costs associated with the delayed implementation of the Act, followed by annual reporting, is a reasonable step that aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability.”
“As has been said, the decision to defer the implementation of the 2022 Act was not taken lightly but was rooted in the financial realities that face health and social care. I am confident about that. In that context, it is essential that we proceed with caution where decisions could have unintended consequences for front-line care. As was discussed during the Second Stage debate, the income generated from hospital car parking charges is not surplus funding that is sitting idle; it is being used to support the day-to-day operations of hospital sites. Removing that income without a fully costed and sustainable replacement would simply shift the burden elsewhere within the system. Ultimately, that would risk impacting front-line patient services.”
“I am glad that a further meeting is planned in the coming days. Whilst ambulance capacity continues to be lost due to prolonged hospital handover delays, I very much welcome the significant improvements that have been made in recent months. Is the Minister hopeful that, whilst all-year-round pressures will, no doubt, remain, we are through the worst of the winter pressures and, therefore, securing a sustainable end-of-shift protocol should be more achievable?”
“Will the Minister agree that we are pushing at open doors in the USA when we are from Northern Ireland and speak with an accent that our American cousins seem to love to hear? Will he also agree that you need to cross the pond to push those open doors and that every penny spent is a penny well spent on behalf of the future economy of Northern Ireland?”
“At a time when the Assembly and the Executive have been widely ridiculed for failing to produce legislation, does the Minister agree that, regardless of any party's position on MUP, it is a gross abuse of political power for one party to single-handedly veto legislation that would undoubtedly have changed and saved many lives by preventing it from even coming to the Chamber for debate and scrutiny? Has the Minister heard one compelling argument from the Democratic Unionist Party as to why the legislation should not proceed?”
“I trust that all parties will continue to support the Minister's request for that funding to be protected in the upcoming Executive Budget-setting exercise. <BR /> <BR />As MLAs, we understand that improving women's health outcomes will not happen overnight but will require a sustained effort, careful prioritisation and, ultimately, the resources to match our ambitions. The work that is under way is about listening directly to women, strengthening primary care pathways and tackling waiting lists. Ultimately, our shared objective should be clear: to ensure that women and girls across Northern Ireland receive timely, equitable and high-quality healthcare throughout their life. That is a goal that my party and I are happy to support.”
“That approach recognises that many aspects of women's healthcare are best delivered through strong primary and community care services rather than through already stretched hospital waiting lists. <BR /> <BR />We need to explore not just the quickest way to support women but the most effective and accessible way. We are already beginning to see practical examples of that shift. The enhanced primary care gynaecology service is now a high-volume service with incredibly positive outcomes for the women involved. At the same time, additional investment through the Minister's elective care framework has supported waiting list initiatives with gynaecology services. Targeted funding has allowed trusts to prioritise time-critical assessments.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion also makes comparisons with other jurisdictions that have adopted dedicated women's health strategies. In many cases, those strategies have been accompanied by significant additional funding and cross-government commitments. Without those elements in place, there is a real risk that a strategy becomes a list of aspirations rather than a deliverable plan. The Minister has therefore taken a pragmatic approach by focusing first on a women's health action plan that aligns with the wider reform agenda set out in the Health and Social Care (HSC) reset plan and the move towards a neighbourhood model of care.”
“The work that is currently being undertaken to develop a women's health action plan is a significant step in that direction. Crucially, that work is being informed by the ongoing public listening exercise led by Derry Well Women in partnership with Queen's University Belfast. Thousands of women from across Northern Ireland have contributed their views and experiences through surveys, focus groups and engagement events. That approach is important. If we are serious about designing services that meet women's needs across the life course, those services must be shaped by the lived experiences of the women who use them. Taking the time to gather that evidence is not a delay but a necessary part of getting the policy right.”
“It is entirely right that the Assembly focus on improving outcomes for women in accessing services at every stage of their life. There is little doubt that significant disparities exist in women's health outcomes and in the timeliness with which care can be accessed. Access to gynaecological services, the diagnosis and management of conditions such as endometriosis and the need for more consistent menopause support are all issues that are raised regularly in the Chamber. Those concerns are real, and they deserve a serious response from the health system. <BR /> <BR />While the motion highlights the challenges, it is also important that we acknowledge the progress that has been made to try to resolve them. The Minister has been clear that improving women's health outcomes is a priority.”
“I welcome the fact that the trusts also have the discretion to provide concessions for patients who face frequent or prolonged hospital visits and that those on low incomes may reclaim travel and parking costs through existing support schemes. Those are all important safeguards. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the Bill represents a pragmatic response to a very difficult situation. As I said, the protection of front-line care must come first. For those reasons, I will be supporting the motion, and I encourage colleagues across the House to do likewise.”
“That is an important reassurance for healthcare workers who depend on access to hospital sites as part of their daily work. <BR /> <BR />It is worth noting that the current system includes a number of exemptions and concessions that are designed to support patients with particular needs. For example, patients who receive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or renal dialysis are eligible for free parking.”
“<BR /> <BR />Hospital parking is not simply a financial issue; it is a practical one. Parking capacity across our hospital estate is limited, and demand often exceeds supply. Across the health and social care estate, just under 20,000 parking spaces are available across hospital sites, yet the workforce numbers more than 70,000. That is before we even consider patients and visitors, who also rely on those facilities every day. Managing that demand is a complex challenge, requiring fair systems that prioritise those who genuinely need access to parking. During the deferral period, staff parking permits will remain free of charge, and a needs-based system will continue to operate to ensure that those staff who require on-site parking the most can obtain it.”
“That seems, to me, to be a pragmatic and balanced approach by the Minister, keeping the policy objective alive while recognising the financial reality that we face. <BR /> <BR />It is important to highlight the fact that considerable work has been undertaken by health and social care trusts to prepare for the eventual implementation of free parking. Significant investment has been made in modern traffic management systems, including through the installation of automatic number plate recognition technology across hospital sites. That investment will not be wasted. The systems that have been put in place will now help to ensure that hospital car parks are managed effectively, protecting access routes for emergency vehicles and ensuring that spaces are available for legitimate users.”
“My party and I believe that protecting front-line health services must always be the priority. <BR /> <BR />The Bill does not abandon the principle of ending hospital parking charges. Instead, it recognises that the financial position of the health service is now so serious that the immediate implementation of a ban simply is not affordable. The legislation therefore proposes the deferral of the ban on parking charges, allowing time for the financial position of the health service to stabilise. Importantly, that is not an open-ended delay: the Bill provides for a maximum deferral period of three years, with 12 May 2029 as a backstop date. At that point, the Assembly will have the opportunity to assess the financial position and decide on next steps.”
“The Department of Health faces projected funding gaps that will run into many hundreds of millions of pounds over the coming years. In such circumstances, every decision about expenditure and income must be considered carefully. <BR /> <BR />Hospital car parking charges currently generate around £7 million a year. That might appear modest in the context of the overall Health budget, but, given the level of financial strain that the system is under, £7 million is not insignificant. It represents resources that help to support patient services, staffing and the day-to-day running of hospitals. If that income were to be removed immediately, the money would have to be found elsewhere in an already overstretched budget. That inevitably raises difficult questions about where the savings would be made.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Second Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill. I suspect that most Members would agree that, in an ideal world, hospital parking would be free. Patients attending hospital and staff who work in our health service face enough challenges and worries without having to think about the cost of parking. We all recognise, however, that we do not live in an ideal world. If we did, the Health Minister would not have the in tray that he currently does, bulging with pressures and problems. Our responsibility is to deal with the circumstances that we face now. In reality, the financial pressures that face our health and social care system are extremely serious.”
“There has been a bit of adverse media comment about the cost of erecting the scaffolding and retaining it on-site. Is the Commission content that the current situation with the scaffolding represents the best practical solution and long-term value for money?”
“Wales and Scotland have, similarly, increased emphasis on community-based, intensive support and strengthened clinical networks. The trajectory across the UK has been towards earlier access, specialist expertise and reduced reliance on hospital admission. That provides us, on this side of the Irish Sea, with both encouragement and a benchmark. In that context, I am happy to support the call for a clear time frame. The very least that anyone in Northern Ireland who has an eating disorder deserves is a commitment that they should be able to access the care that they need at the time that they need it. <BR /> <BR />Families can feel hopeless when their family member has an eating disorder. I have seen such cases. To the families, I say this: there is hope for everyone.”
“<BR /> <BR />However, we cannot ignore the finding of the Department's mental health strategy deliverability review. Significant financial pressures have constrained progress, including on the development of specialist eating disorder services. That is a reality facing every Stormont Department. In Health, the real-life consequences are often felt much more deeply, but, as the Minister has said before, financial pressures should not be an automatic impediment to progress. <BR /> <BR />We can see what progress and reform looks like. In recent years, England has expanded community eating disorder teams for children and young people, working towards clearer waiting times, higher standards and earlier intervention models.”
“Thankfully, structured work has been done to strengthen services. The establishment of the regional eating disorder managed care network was a positive step in ensuring more consistent pathways, stronger workforce capability and better use of data across Northern Ireland. The development of a strategic framework and implementation plan signals an intent to move from aspiration to delivery, and, critically, to improve the work of both statutory and voluntary partners in shaping that journey. Community-based care must be central to that approach. As in so many other instances, treatment that is delivered closer to home can reduce escalation to inpatient settings. That is not only clinically appropriate but often exactly what service users and families want.”
“While I welcome the fact that some stabilisation has occurred following the immediate post-pandemic surge in mental health presentations, the figures show that we have a very real and significant problem. Each admission represents a young person in real distress. Quite often, an admission represents a family in crisis, and I have witnessed the distress that families suffer. <BR /> <BR />Eating disorders remain among the most serious mental health conditions. Sadly, they also have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness. Early identification and timely intervention are critical if we are to improve the long-term outcomes. That is why I have long been a believer that, when it comes to such issues, the emphasis must be on preventing crisis, rather than on simply responding to it.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. Such debates really help build better political and public understanding of what are often complex and devastating illnesses. The debate, along with the recent publicity surrounding Eating Disorders Awareness Week, will, I hope, make it a bit easier for our young people and adults who struggle with food to come forward for help. There is no shame in it, and, as MLAs, we must all work to eradicate any stigma. <BR /> <BR />One of the most sobering lines in the motion concerns the rise in the number of admissions:”
“Minister, I note that you identified the potential damage to the shellfish industry in Belfast lough from pollution. I think that you and I are on the same page: the threats to Belfast lough go a lot deeper than just that issue. Indeed, last year, you agreed with me that Belfast lough has the potential to be the next Lough Neagh if something is not done. <BR /> <BR />I note from your fourth proposal that you will seek the support of Executive colleagues to enhance the treatment for waste water discharges that enter the lough. Are you confident that you will get that support, given that the Executive have shown no enthusiasm to date to do so?”
“Does the Member agree that the work carried out by the Audit Committee was done under the auspices of long-standing legislation and that the work of the Committee was in no way influenced by party political interests?”
“I, again, thank the incumbent C&AG, Dorinnia Carville, and the NIAO for their invaluable work in safeguarding public accountability in Northern Ireland. I ask the House to support the motion.”
“Importantly, the Committee has identified the need for further work in this regard and recommends that a feasibility study on a full job evaluation exercise be carried out in line with the timescales for the appointment of the next C&AG.”
“That is in line with the percentage pay award made to Assembly Commission staff and represents an increase of £6,181 to £160,708. We also recommend that that salary level be applied retrospectively to make an allowance for inflation from the beginning of the financial year 2023-24, which was the first full financial year in which the current postholder was in office. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered longer-term salary-setting options, such as linking the C&AG salary to Senior Civil Service salaries, and those options are set out in the report. In the end, there was not a sufficient evidence base on which to make a robust recommendation.”
“<BR /> <BR />It would not be reasonable or logical for the Committee to recommend that the Assembly return to the link with judicial group 5 salary, which is approaching a figure of £190,000 per annum, without robust evidence to indicate that that salary level or linking the office of the C&AG with that of a judge was appropriate. Having considered the available evidence and the legal position, the Committee is not recommending that the Assembly return to the link with judicial group 5 as the salary mechanism for the reasons set out in its report. <BR /> <BR />Having completed the review set out in the Committee's report, the Committee recommends to the Assembly that it increase the salary by 4% for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.”
“<BR /> <BR />The salary has not been reviewed since March 2022, at which time the Committee recommended a salary level of £154,527, which was in line with the judicial group 5 salary at the time. In the plenary debate, however, the then Committee Chairperson acknowledged that there was a question about whether judicial group 5 was the most appropriate group against which the salary should be benchmarked. The then Committee therefore recommended that the Committee consider reviewing the options open to it to determine the salary in the future. The current Comptroller and Auditor General was appointed on a fixed salary of £154,041. In anticipation of a fuller review of the arrangements, however, the terms of appointment were not referenced to a judicial salary scale, nor was reference made to annual revalorisation.”
“unless the Minister of Finance makes a recommendation. I can confirm that the Minister was content to make a recommendation in this case. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has taken every available opportunity to emphasise the enormous value of the C&AG's work and the great responsibility that the postholder has for the external audit of central government bodies in Northern Ireland, including Executive Departments, their agencies and a wide range of other public-sector bodies. The postholder is also head of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), which works closely with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its scrutiny of public spending. The C&AG's salary should equate to that level of responsibility. That is not only fair but essential for safeguarding public accountability.”
“and it cannot be decreased by the Assembly. The proposals remain within those limits. The salary is charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund under section 63 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Assembly cannot pass a resolution that:”
“On behalf of the Audit Committee, I ask the House to support the motion. Article 4(1) of the Audit (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 provides for the salary of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to be determined by a resolution of the Assembly. Standing Order 58(2) provides for the Audit Committee to table any motion relating to the salary. Under the legislation, the salary must not exceed:”
“<BR /> <BR />If Northern Ireland were excluded from the arrangements or chose not to give consent, it would face an invidious choice: accept increased competition for limited training places or withdraw from national recruitment altogether, neither of which would be good for local staff or local patients. That is why I and my party are very happy to support the LCM.”
“The Bill and, hopefully, our consent to it will at last give our own, domestically produced and trained staff some priority access to crucial training places. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the health service right across the United Kingdom has long relied and will continue to rely largely on our international workforce, to whom we are absolutely indebted, we cannot ignore the fact that we are also fortunate to have a substantial pool of appointable doctors who are already available within the NHS. They are staff who are much more likely to work in the NHS for longer. It is a similar concept to the idea that our own Health Minister has already tasked officials with exploring: ways to financially reward students who then commit to working within the health service.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make a few brief remarks on the LCM. The process has been very quick, and, as the Chair of the Committee explained, the Committee agreed not to take a position on the LCM due to insufficient time to scrutinise it. The Minister referred to that and apologised. I understand that the delay was largely with the time that it took to secure Executive approval rather than with any fault of the Minister or his Department. <BR /> <BR />In my view, the legislation represents not just the right thing to do; it is fundamentally the right initiative for Northern Ireland to be a part of. How many times do we, as MLAs, stand up in the Chamber and say, "We need to do more to support our own staff coming forward"?”
“The reality is that, even with this year's reserve claim, the Executive are still lurching towards another budgetary cliff edge next year, but they are doing so in slow motion and in full view of everyone. An overspend of £400 million to £500 million this year, had it been left unchecked, would likely have grown to well in excess of £1 billion by this time next year. In the immediate time ahead, the Executive urgently need to step up a gear to prepare for and respond to the budgetary crisis that is unfolding. They could do worse than to look at the approach that the Health Minister has adopted this year. <BR /> <BR />I place on record my party's appreciation of and grateful thanks to the entire staff in the health and social care sector, who do a very difficult job in very difficult circumstances.”
“At 1·5%, that is also well below the 4·7% that the Fiscal Council reported was necessary to meet the additional health needs in Northern Ireland, including dealing with the mental health legacy of the past. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that there has been significant in-year movement this year. In Health, resource DEL has increased by £560 million from the Main Estimates. That increase is primarily from additional funding received during 2025-26 to address a significant funding gap in the health sector for existing services and to enable a pay award to be made in line with that in England. It has also increased owing to the agreement with HM Treasury on a reserve claim for 2025-26. <BR /> <BR />Although I commend the Minister for the progress that he has made and welcome the in-year allocations, we are still in a very difficult position.”
“<BR /> <BR />Nevertheless, given that Health and Social Care experiences significant inflationary pressures each year — typically 6% a year — it has to run incredibly fast in terms of efficiencies just to stand still. Health experiences significant increases in demand, in additional to underlying price inflation. The number of people over the age of 65 is increasing by 2·5% annually. <BR /> <BR />We cannot ignore the wider UK context. Whilst there is a narrative in some quarters that we are overfunded compared with the rest of the UK, the reality is quite different. The level of additional spending on health in Northern Ireland compared with that in England is now projected to be at a 10-year low in 2025-26 based on the draft Budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is widely recognised across the Executive and Stormont political parties that no one has done more this year to drive efficiencies and close their funding gap than the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt. He has already delivered hundreds of millions in savings and efficiencies. Some of that has been short-term cash releasing savings, but other efficiencies, such as converting expensive locum shifts into long-term NHS-paid jobs, have delivered significant permanent annual savings. He has done that whilst delivering real improvements across various areas, including a fall in the number of people waiting totally unacceptable lengths of time for treatment.”