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 28 of 29.
“<BR /> <BR />Mr McNulty referred to sport providing a legacy. We have such pride in the sporting achievements of all our sportsmen across this country in every discipline, and a sport museum would be a legacy for those people. I call on the Executive to embrace the concept. I also call on them urgently to stop talking about a tourism strategy and get one —”
“Using some of the interactive technology deployed in the Titanic centre, a sports museum could be made a family-friendly must-visit for our citizens. <BR /> <BR />Nothing cuts across and makes a mockery of the divides in our society like sport. Let us use it to showcase all our sporting achievements on a cross-community basis. The material is there and the story is there; let us use it. The Ulster Unionist Party will support the SDLP amendment, and we call on the Executive to embrace our idea of promoting the establishment of a sporting museum. It makes no sense to continue to miss an opportunity that is sitting in our laps. Let us not dilute the opportunity by concentrating on a museum of achievement that would include sport. That concept would not add value for visitors at either an event or on a sporting activity break.”
“Why do we not have a museum in Northern Ireland dedicated to the proud sporting achievements over many years of a population of 1·8 million people who box well above their weight on the international stage? Is there a sport organised in this country that has not produced a world champion, a record breaker or a medal winner? That success is replicated by our Paralympians. I know there is a call for a museum of achievement that embraces sport, but we have a wealth of material in the sporting world and a story to tell that would fill two sports museums. The challenge will not be what to include; it will be what to leave out. Look at the success of the Titanic centre: a sporting museum could replicate that success and appeal to visitors attending major sporting events in our country and provide added value to their experience.”
“<BR /> <BR />At a meeting of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association in October 2014, a report was produced on the topics that we are discussing today. It talked about events-based and activity tourism. It then referenced a third category, called nostalgia-based sports tourism. However, it said that this type of opportunity is not prominent in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.”
“It is also a disappointment to me, as a new Member, to be reminded that such a success as our sporting events and activity-based tourism is not embraced by a specific tourism strategy, despite that having been talked about throughout the life of the last mandate and still being talked about today. I have the sense that this type of backslapping motion, with a call for the Minister to do what I would expect him to be doing already, serves only to feed into the perception held by many members of the public that this House is only a talking shop with no outcomes. That perception can be understood, even though we who serve here know that things actually do get done in the Chamber and in Committee.”
“There is nothing in the DUP motion that anyone could not acknowledge. There have been huge successes that have made us all very proud. However, I am disappointed that it makes no reference to the many organisers of major sporting events in Northern Ireland and those across the entire tourism industry who do so much to make a visit here an unforgettable experience, especially when an event or sport is the magnet. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Minister for the Economy to promote and encourage growth in this sector. Does that mean that those who tabled the motion feel that he is not already doing what they request? It would be interesting if the Minister, in his contribution today, would share with us what he thinks he is not already doing that this motion will fire him up to now deliver.”
“I refer to the Cotton river in my constituency of North Down, which is suspected of being the source of pollution in Ballyholme Bay and causing the beach to fail to reach required standards. I understand that there is a waste water pumping station at Cotton and that Northern Ireland Water was recently fined £2,000, I think, for a pollution incident in that river. Does the Department have any plans to eliminate the problems with emergency overflows directly into the river?”
“There are more traffic lights, and the average-speed cameras have made a big difference. A lot of people question whether they actually work or not, but they have slowed up the speed on that road. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I ask the Minister to give a bit more consideration to the Craigantlet roundabout to maybe get some more traffic off the A2 and ease the sheer volume of traffic using it every day.”
“I sympathise with the Minister in finding the funding for those things because funding is already light in North Down, even for fixing potholes. Anyone with an interest in road safety and who has any budgetary influence with the Executive really does need to help the Minister to secure this funding. <BR /> <BR />We have a policy to encourage cycling, and I admire the hardy souls who use that road on two wheels; I also fear for them. The current arrangements — should I say no arrangements? — are not an acceptable situation. Painting a cycle lane will not cut it; physical separation is required for cyclists as well. <BR /> <BR />We have to pay a compliment because, over the years, things have been done to make the road safer; we have to acknowledge that.”
“We cannot ask the Minister to do certain things if we are not prepared, in the long term, to support him. <BR /> <BR />Right-turners present a challenge. We need to encourage and advise people using the road to advertise their intentions as early as possible if they are going to make a right turn, because that manoeuvre brings with it the danger of a high-speed rear shunt. <BR /> <BR />At a recent Question Time, the Minister answered a question about the A2. He said that a survey was carried out in 2011 and identified two junctions that needed improvement: Ballyrobert Road and Ballymoney Road. Five years on, the statutory process, I believe, is still to begin, funding has to be secured and priority has to be confirmed.”
“Up to 45,000 vehicles a day pass each other when travelling in different directions. They pass each other within a few feet, and they are travelling at up to 50 mph or a closing speed of 100 mph. One moment of inattention, a tyre blowing out or something like that affords no hiding place from a horrendous collision. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that the stretch of the A2 from Ballyrobert to Seapark really is not fit for purpose if you genuinely value the safety and the lives of road users. If you were planning that road at the moment, it would not get off the drawing board, because it would not meet any of the best practice. Traffic separation is essential to make it a safer route. If that means vesting parts of people's gardens, will we as elected Members support that?”
“<BR /> <BR />That became more than just a paragraph in the local paper for me when a very dear friend, Norma Diffley, a long-time resident of Groomsport, was a victim in a collision that involved another vehicle allegedly crossing the carriageway at the devil's elbow in early January this year. Mr David Catherwood, a gentleman I was aware of, had his life taken from him as he rode his bicycle on the A2 near Cultra in July. <BR /> <BR />As Gordon said, parts of the A2 from Bangor to Holywood are a dual carriageway, and they provide a degree of protection from crossover collisions. That stretch stops at Ballyrobert. The other portion of separated traffic flow is the stretch into Holywood from Seapark. It is not coincidental that the two fatalities this year were on that three or four-mile stretch of unseparated carriageway.”
“I thank my colleague Gordon Dunne for bringing this Adjournment debate. I know that Gordon, along with myself, has had a long-time interest in this particular roadway. I place on record my appreciation of the Minister being here this evening to listen to the debate. <BR /> <BR />Over the last few days I have been checking some statistics and so forth, and I came across a Hansard report of a debate that took place in the Chamber in 2002. The topic was the A2. A certain Mr Peter Robinson was the Minister for Regional Development at that particular time. As I read it, I saw that the theme running through the debate was the sad and unacceptable loss of life occurring on the A2 on a regular basis. That loss of life is still a feature of this road.”
“Minister, you previously told me that there were over 17,000 days of discharge delays at the Ulster Hospital, which is an astronomical figure. Can you detail what extra steps your Department and the neighbouring trusts have actually taken to improve the provision of social care places outside the hospital setting? Will the information revealed by today's RQIA report have any bearing or influence on the urgency by which you are going look at the obvious problem of delayed discharges in the Ulster Hospital?”
“I know, from years of personal experiences, that businesses across north Down are really feeling the strain of the rates burden. Therefore, it is essential that the Assembly continues to provide some support for them. Will the Minister explain whether he has considered providing any temporary support for sectors that may be most disproportionately affected by the changes in support under the small business rate relief scheme?”
“I await the outcome of all that with interest, but it is a fact that Brexit is, and is going to be, a challenge. <BR /> <BR />In calling for the Minister to ensure that the economic strategy supports SMEs that want to grow, I would expect, as Ms Bradley said, that he is already doing so. In conclusion, I would have liked the motion to have put a bit more meat on the bones, but I have no difficulty in supporting it.”
“It talks about the challenges, with little in the way of practical encouragement or solutions for struggling small businesses. It does not mention the biggest challenge faced by our SMEs in recent years that Brexit is presenting to us.”
“This process actually worked and is an idea that our colleagues in local government here might explore or develop. <BR /> <BR />My party will support the motion, as we fully recognise and appreciate the range and number of jobs created by SMEs across many sectors of our economy. They generate export income, contribute taxes and collect PAYE on behalf of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. In the retail sector, they act as tax collectors of VAT, which is an additional unpaid burden. We must also acknowledge the contribution of the hospitality trade and the many arms of our tourism industry. The commitment of the farming community, with all the physical risks involved in its industry, is something that needs to be placed on record. <BR /> <BR />However, I am slightly disappointed with the rather weak wording of the DUP motion.”
“Another initiative that we witnessed in the USA was in Virginia Beach, which was twinned with North Down Borough Council through Sister Cities International. It had its own version of Invest Northern Ireland, working with huge success in attracting large international investors. However, it also concentrated on what it called economic gardening, whereby it successfully encouraged and nurtured the growth of its existing small and medium-sized businesses. Volunteers with a deep sense of civic obligation and skills in accountancy, product development and other varied management areas were recruited. Small companies with issues or which might be in short-term difficulty or which lacked the know-how to grow were allocated a suitable mentor.”
“We called at a business park, under the auspices of their economic development team. It informed us that it could deliver all permissions, including planning authority, within 28 days of a formal approach by a new business. Business investors in Northern Ireland would drool at that prospect. Why can we not be as slick?”
“The growth of our SMEs has been achieved despite the ever-increasing bureaucratic demands from statutory agencies that take more and more time and resources to deal with. Those demands can be a distraction from using innovation and business experience to grow sales, profit and, more importantly, employment opportunities. Oppressive red tape and a lack of official support for SMEs in surmounting the obstacles sometimes presented, for instance, by complicated planning regulations, which have already been referred to, can prove demotivating for new and existing entrepreneurs. <BR /> <BR />Some years ago, I was part of a local government fact-finding visit to Prince William County in the state of Virginia in the USA. Indeed, Dr Farry was part of that same visit.”
“I am one of the few Members to speak on the motion who has earned a living from running a small business that has, for over 40 years, provided gainful employment for many others. It is opportune for me to confirm my already-declared interest. <BR /> <BR />My business has grown over the years owing to personal and family investments and sacrifices that have improved business capacity, with staff enjoying the benefits and job security that that growth has created. That type of personal investment and commitment is replicated every day right across the SME sector by operators remortgaging their home or using retirement savings or borrowings to improve or sustain their operation.”
“I ask the Minister whether there is a shuttle bus service from the Sydenham halt to the airport. If not, will he give consideration to introducing such a service as a short-term, interim measure?”
“There is considerable uncertainty about exports in a post-EU era. The perfect outcome for Northern Ireland would be to retain all our exports to the EU, especially the Republic of Ireland, and have the chance to explore and grow other markets. I cannot support the DUP motion because it totally ignores the importance of UK access to the single market. I will support the Alliance amendment.”
“My party's document, 'A Vision for Northern Ireland outside the EU', is very clear that we must have unfettered access to the EU single market. In a debate about exports, it would be remiss not to mention the efforts of local companies such as Ulster Carpets, Kitchenmaster and SDC Trailers, all of which recently secured export deals to the Middle East, as my colleague Gordon Dunne mentioned, with much appreciated support from Invest Northern Ireland. We should also acknowledge the ongoing contribution to our economy by the many exporters in every sector across Northern Ireland, such as Whale and Denroy in my constituency. <BR /> <BR />I am left with the suspicion that the motion is a bit of a fig leaf for the DUP to give itself a degree of comfort after the referendum unexpectedly gave it what it wished for.”
“The most crucial part of our export future is access to the single market. Our Prime Minister is speaking about a hard Brexit, and the president of France and other significant European leaders are sabre-rattling, saying that leaving the EU will be a bumpy ride for the UK. The First Minister claims that it would be madness to show our negotiating hand at this time, but is she confident that she will be playing in a game of economic poker, given that Brexit will undoubtedly be negotiated by people at Westminster whose aspirations may differ from those of the Executive? Now is the time for the Executive to spell out loud and clear what we need from Brexit, and access to the single market should be top of any list. <BR /> <BR />I am amazed that the DUP motion makes no mention of the single market.”
“We must also support calls for a VAT reduction to 9% to grow even further the huge contribution that tourism makes to our economy, a contribution that sometimes goes unrecognised.”
“Indeed, I welcome the confirmation from its contributor earlier as to how Sinn Féin will be voting. The DUP might have to borrow from Sinn Féin — Ourselves Alone — when the vote is called this evening. <BR /> <BR />The funding cuts made to university budgets, resulting in a reduction in the number of courses on offer, and the loss of future EU funding will adversely impact cutting-edge research in the places that lead to income from exports through product development. Is that more lost ground to be made up by new export opportunities? If we are serious about maintaining and then growing export figures, we need firm commitments to invest in our transport and broadband networks, and to provide the right training for our workforce.”
“Sorry, I will give way later. <BR /> <BR />It goes without saying that we expect the Minister for the Economy to ensure that growing exports is a key challenge for him. I am confident that it is already foremost in his mind, especially given the growing suspicion that he might have voted to remain in the EU. <BR /> <BR />Last week, the First Minister was very scathing in her comments about what she called "Remoaners". As she said it, I am not sure whether she even glanced across the Chamber at her Sinn Féin colleagues in the Executive who are currently involved in High Court action on the very subject of remaining in the EU. It will be interesting to see whether Sinn Féin goes into a different Lobby from its Executive colleagues, despite the much-talked-about non-aggression pact.”
“I concur with the sentiments contained in the first sentence of the motion. I join the DUP in welcoming the growth in our exports announced by HMRC and applaud any efforts to increase the ability of our economy to compete in a global market. However, I have concerns about joining the proposer of the motion in recognising the opportunities that Brexit presents to improve external sales, without also recognising the major dangers and threats to our exporters placed on them by the UK taking a democratic decision to leave the EU. <BR /> <BR />The HMRC figures that represent the pre-referendum situation are very encouraging, but we must not become complacent on the back of them.”
“Many people await the much-delayed publication of the Bengoa report. Will the Minister, first, give an account for the delay and, secondly, give a commitment that it will be published in its totality and nothing in the original report will be withheld?”
“I welcome the news that the Minister has given us that there are plans to improve some junctions on this busy road. I am disappointed to hear about the Sydenham bypass because that would have made a big contribution to traffic progression. Has the Minister any plans to provide any more physical central traffic separation to prevent crossover collisions, which, given the speed and sheer volume of traffic on this road, can prove fatal?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. On cigarette sales, we have recently put doors on cigarette cabinets, introduced plain packaging, cut the size of cigarette packets and so forth because of the health implications for smokers and the strain on the health service. You have shared some horrendous figures with us on the effect that alcohol has in crime and the cost to the National Health Service. Does the Minister agree that there may be a case for considering some limitation of the display of alcohol in off-licences? You can go into an off-licence as a non-drinker and almost want to buy a bottle of alcohol because it is laid out so attractively and so colourfully. Does the Minister think that there is a case for bringing in some control on how alcohol is displayed in off-licences?”
“Also, so much of the DUP's outrage was directed towards the Ulster Unionist Party, yet there did not seem to be a word directed at those involved in this nasty affair.”
“Perhaps today is an important occasion not to lose sight of what is being said and to act accordingly in the best interests of the public we all claim to represent. <BR /> <BR />I turn briefly to the amendment from Sinn Féin. Given that they are so precious about their image overseas, I find it disappointing that they do not share my party's concerns.”
“We owe it to our people, especially to our hard-working and honest business community, who do not operate in circles where cash-filled bags are handed over in hospital car parks. We should also divert the spotlight off the BBC programme of that name and the other arms of the media who have pursued and highlighted the scandal. We should be grateful to them for casting a light in the dark corners that many would prefer to stay dark. Forget about criticising the messenger, and let us just spend all our energy and resource on this story, with all its serious allegations. Lord Morrow, in a debate in this Chamber last week, shared these words of wisdom:”
“However, in the court of public opinion and, perhaps, in the case of NAMA, the international business community, judgement is not merely passed on the fact that something bad has happened but more on how the situation is dealt with. Robust action breeds confidence, but prevarication creates suspicion. <BR /> <BR />The House cannot afford to tiptoe around the NAMA allegations. Nor should it peddle the line that we should leave the truth-finding to others. Every day the truth stays suppressed is another day of public and international scepticism of the genuine desire of the House to get to the bottom of this cesspit. No matter how uncomfortable the journey or the process of digging for the truth may prove to be, we owe it to the House.”
“I agree that that episode is worthy of further scrutiny. <BR /> <BR />One of our main target areas for inward investment is the United States of America. It is a big country, but multinational companies there do not operate in silos. We will never be able to quantify how many boardrooms have echoed the conversations about the allegations around NAMA. Given the involvement of the US Department of Justice and the FBI, it cannot all have gone unnoticed or been ignored in America by either the US Administration, the business sector or the media. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, from time to time bad things can and do happen, both in the private sector and in the public sector. They can be outside the control of management or, indeed, government.”
“Northern Ireland is better than that. I will give way.”
“An example of this is how quickly PIMCO disappeared over the horizon, when it blew the whistle on a £7 million success fee arrangement that it wanted nothing to do with. That particular piece of doubtful business practice, along with other more recent revelations of alleged brown bags stuffed with cash being handed over and accepted, would sit comfortably in some corrupt, gangster-controlled country in some uncivilised part of the world.”
“<BR /> <BR />NAMA and its alleged irregularities taint us all. It is not a time for any party in the Chamber to continue to circle the wagons and hope that the NAMA scandal will simply disappear. It will not, and it should not. The public expects every transparent process to be deployed not just by the police but by the House using every mechanism available to us to uncover and reveal the truth. No one involved in wrongdoing should be protected from all avenues of scrutiny or be able to sleep easy in their bed. Like a poisoned boil, this has to be lanced and cleaned out, and the sooner the better. <BR /> <BR />All the information we know about this sordid affair must be having a detrimental effect on our international reputation and standing in the worldwide business community. We may never know just how much or how badly.”
“We need to understand that the purpose of the debate is not about the reputation or limiting the reputational damage of anyone who may have served under the roof of this Building or may indeed still serve under it; it is about the public and international perception of this political institution to which we all belong. We know that there are many negative issues in that regard in the mindset of the public. The recent announcement of the appointment of Mr David Gordon is perhaps an acknowledgement by the Executive of that fact. Public confidence in how business has been conducted by a few people in the business sector in Northern Ireland, especially when senior politicians become involved in the process, is also currently under pressure and is subject to intense scrutiny by a concerned public.”
“Is the Minister able to share with me whether she has been approached by any local groups about its future use and whether she is sympathetic to those approaches?”
“I have the images here and they are causing a bit of fun in the Bangor area. Regarding the pathway, cyclists are reluctant to use this particular carriageway due to the amount of road debris and stones being thrown up by vehicles using the very busy ring road. What measures have been put in place, or could be put in place by the Department, to address this problem?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that, while the Department and the local authorities can do all that they can to improve town centres, the responsibility for a vibrant town centre lies with the residents? There is a big responsibility on residents to support local businesses. If they did that, there would be fewer shutters going down and more businesses coming into our town centres.”
“However, I hope that we will continue to enjoy the European grant aid that we have received to date to help us improve our communications network.”
“I am sure that the House sympathises with and shares the Member's concern at that statistic. <BR /> <BR />We also recognise how important tourism is to our economy. Visitors going to our must-visit locations expect to be able to use their iPads, tablets and smartphones. One bad experience can be the one recalled when visitors return home to share their stories with friends and families, who are our potential future visitors. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, we should not imagine that broadband black spots are exclusive to rural areas. In my North Down constituency, there are many high-value rateable urbanised housing areas that are still receiving download speeds that would have been considered as snail's pace years ago. That is just not good enough. <BR /> <BR />After Friday and the result of Brexit, I certainly do not anticipate war.”
“Universal high-speed broadband and robust mobile phone coverage will be one such expectation, especially with so many people now working from home, which is a trend that will increase. <BR /> <BR />We need to recognise also that many small farmers are diversifying into other income opportunities and broadband is essential to accommodate their ambitions and help grow our economy.”
“Now that many government services are being moved and promoted online, it gives us one more important reason to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to enjoy a top-end, quality broadband service. Online electoral registration, which we discussed in the House yesterday, is the latest example of that. <BR /> <BR />The project to introduce a reduced rate of corporation tax has been referred to and is foremost in our minds. We are rightly focusing a lot of attention on the establishment of training provision to create the skill sets that, we anticipate, will be required as new employment opportunities open up. However, we should not take our eye off day-to-day housekeeping requirements that international investors will be looking for and expecting.”
“I thank the SDLP for tabling this worthy and important motion. It is an example of proactive opposition. It should focus our minds on the fact that we all recognise that many people in rural areas are unable to enjoy the high broadband speeds and reliable mobile phone coverage that many of our citizens take for granted. <BR /> <BR />The Consumer Council hit the nail on the head in a recent consultation response on the issue, when it stated:”