Alan Robinson
East Londonderry · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“As the school year comes to a close, 2026 will see the loss of two high-profile educators in Roe Valley. Those two individuals have given many valuable years of service to the education system.”
“<BR /> <BR />Marshall and Nicola, I hope that you begin your well-earned rest with immense pride in all that you have accomplished. Your schools will undoubtedly miss you, but your legacy will continue through every pupil whose life was enriched because of your years of service.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the two individuals led very different schools, they shared a calling: to provide the best education for young people and to inspire those around them. They have been a steady, reassuring presence for generations of children and trusted colleagues to their staff.”
“He has been an incredibly popular head of school and has the respect of many across the education system in the Province. I wish him well and trust that he will enjoy having more time for the sports that he is so deeply fond of, including rugby.”
“I thank the Member for that response. I very much welcome the addition of a padded protective area, which is something that I had lobbied for. I am keen to know whether there are any plans to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in Parliament Buildings in order to improve accessibility for staff and visitors.”
“Like others, I support the motion. For many individuals and couples across Northern Ireland, the dream of becoming parents is accompanied by years of emotional heartbreak. Couples who have undergone that journey will tell you that it is the uncertainty that kills them.”
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“May your retirement be as rewarding and fulfilling as the careers that you have left behind.”
“<BR /> <BR />Marshall and Nicola, I hope that you begin your well-earned rest with immense pride in all that you have accomplished. Your schools will undoubtedly miss you, but your legacy will continue through every pupil whose life was enriched because of your years of service. While this is the end of one chapter, it opens the door to exciting new opportunities. I hope that you both have more time to spend with your families and friends, having new adventures, doing long-postponed hobbies and perhaps even having the chance to enjoy a morning without an alarm clock. I thank you for your years of faithful service to education. Thank you for the difference that you have made not only to your schools but to the wider Roe Valley area. I wish you both much happiness, good health and many wonderful years ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the two individuals led very different schools, they shared a calling: to provide the best education for young people and to inspire those around them. They have been a steady, reassuring presence for generations of children and trusted colleagues to their staff. They leave an enduring legacy: countless pupils began their educational journey under their care. They have guided their schools with distinction, maintaining high academic standards while ensuring that pastoral care remained at the heart of everything that they did. Both understood that education is about so much more than examinations and qualifications; it is about building character, creating opportunities and believing in young people, often before they believe in themselves.”
“He has been an incredibly popular head of school and has the respect of many across the education system in the Province. I wish him well and trust that he will enjoy having more time for the sports that he is so deeply fond of, including rugby. <BR /> <BR />I also pay tribute to Nicola Madden, who steps down as head of Limavady Grammar School having served in that role for a decade. Her educational role began in Dunluce School in Bushmills as head of geography. She then joined Dalriada School in 1998 as a teacher of geography. As an educator, she was deeply involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and coached various junior hockey teams. In her role, she led in high-quality teaching and learning that led to impressive pupil achievements.”
“As the school year comes to a close, 2026 will see the loss of two high-profile educators in Roe Valley. Those two individuals have given many valuable years of service to the education system. <BR /> <BR />Marshall Kilgore MBE, principal of Drumachose Primary School in Limavady, will walk out the door for the last time having given over a quarter of a century of service as a principal and spent over 35 years working in primary education. He started his teaching career in 1989 at Londonderry Model Primary School and had been a teaching principal at Donemana Primary School in Strabane before becoming principal of Drumachose . Mr Kilgore is fondly known as the beating heart of the school. He is a man who openly talks about how sport has influenced his life from an early age to the present day. His love of sport has inspired so many others.”
“I thank the Member for that response. I very much welcome the addition of a padded protective area, which is something that I had lobbied for. I am keen to know whether there are any plans to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in Parliament Buildings in order to improve accessibility for staff and visitors.”
“Every year that passes means that some patients who may otherwise have benefited from treatment lose the opportunity altogether. <BR /> <BR />While I am conscious of the current situation with the Budget, I will support the motion.”
“Furthermore, NDNA commits the Executive to expanding publicly funded IVF provision in Northern Ireland to three cycles. That commitment was welcomed by patients, healthcare staff and advocacy groups. It was an announcement that was seen as offering a little hope that Northern Ireland would finally move towards the best standards of care that are available across these islands; yet people in Northern Ireland continue to face lower levels of publicly funded IVF provision than is available in other parts of these islands. I have heard from couples who say that their chances of accessing fertility treatment should not depend on which part of the United Kingdom they happen to live in. Members will be aware that fertility declines with age. Delays to accessing treatment can therefore have profound consequences.”
“NICE has consistently maintained that having three cycles provides patients with the best opportunity of achieving a successful pregnancy and represents clinically effective care. That has been part of NICE guidelines since 2013.”
“Couples will tell you that that is not equality of access to healthcare. It will therefore be good to hear from the Minister today on whether options are being explored for at least a second funded cycle. As it stands, IVF here creates a two-tier system in which those with financial means can pursue their hopes of parenthood while others are left with little hope. <BR /> <BR />The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended that eligible patients under the age of 40 should be offered three full cycles of IVF treatment.”
“Like others, I support the motion. For many individuals and couples across Northern Ireland, the dream of becoming parents is accompanied by years of emotional heartbreak. Couples who have undergone that journey will tell you that it is the uncertainty that kills them. For those individuals, IVF is often the only pathway to having a child, yet access beyond the funded pathway depends increasingly on the size of a person's bank account. The cost of a single privately funded IVF cycle can run to several thousand pounds, and some patients require more than one cycle to achieve a successful pregnancy. For some families, that means taking on debt or spending their savings to raise the necessary funds. For many others, it simply means that, beyond the one funded full cycle in Northern Ireland, treatment is out of reach.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers. Will he provide an estimate of the number of outpatient appointments, procedures and operations that may be postponed as a result of the strike action?”
“Forgive me, Minister, for also using emotional language, but reading about some of the cruelty towards those incredibly vulnerable people is like reading about what happened in a Nazi concentration camp, except that it was not a concentration camp; it was a First World healthcare facility where people should have been safe and free from such cruelty. How will the proposed adult safeguarding Bill address the weaknesses highlighted in the report, given that we have been told that there is not enough money to implement the Bill fully?”
“Like others, I condemn outright any threat to any healthcare worker in the Province. Can the Minister detail to the House how many international healthcare workers have left their role as a result of the recent unrest? What support is being offered to staff who have experienced intimidation, harassment or fear?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. When he meets Shared Environmental Services, does he intend to discuss any additional staffing requirements in order to meet the increasing demand for environmental assessments that are linked to planning applications?”
“— is robust and commands public confidence.”
“<BR /> <BR />That said, we need to see the detail. Announcements make headlines, but legislation must be practical, enforceable and effective. Questions remain about age verification, enforcement mechanisms and how any restrictions would operate in practice. We should also learn from the experience of Australia, where concerns have been raised about loopholes, the ability of young people to circumvent restrictions and the challenges associated with age-verification technology. Those lessons should be carefully examined so that any UK-wide system —”
“Equally, many parents work hard to supervise their children's online activity and set appropriate boundaries. However, the reality is that parents increasingly find themselves in a battle against sophisticated algorithms designed to maximise engagement and screen time. That is an incredibly difficult challenge for any family to face alone. For that reason, it is right that the Government consider whether greater safeguards are required. At the same time, any restrictions must be accompanied by continued education. We cannot simply legislate and assume that the problem is solved. Children and young people must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. Online safety, digital literacy and awareness of online harms must remain a key priority in our schools, homes and wider areas.”
“I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister this morning that the Government intend to introduce a ban on social media access for those under the age of 16. The DUP supports efforts to better protect children and young people online. We have all seen growing evidence of the negative impact that social media can have on mental health, well-being and childhood. Research has highlighted links between excessive social media use and increased levels of anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation and exposure to cyberbullying. While social media can provide opportunities and connections, we cannot ignore the risks that many young people encounter online. <BR /> <BR />Of course, many young people use social media responsibly and benefit from it.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. At the weekend, I was speaking to someone who drives a small scooter, and he told me that he spends as much time looking down at potholes, for his own safety, as he does looking around him for traffic. Temporary pothole repairs are not cutting it. What do you say to road users who are becoming fearful to use the road network here?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Despite staff raising concerns in 2020, it appears that action was not taken until three years later. What changes will now be introduced across Health and Social Care to ensure that concerns raised by staff or patients about such procedures are acted on more quickly in future?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Has he or his Department assessed what additional financial or staffing resources may be required to support the effective operation of Jade's law, if and when it is implemented?”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion asks for proposals to be brought forward by September 2026: I hope that that is doable. It will be interesting to hear what the Minister has to say. I look forward to whatever the Minister brings back to the House if the motion is agreed.”
“We often speak in the Chamber about the shift left and reducing unnecessary hospital demand. Done properly and, again, only under the right conditions, an integrated 111 service could become the front door to that wider transformation piece. <BR /> <BR />A copy-and-paste model from GB may not suit our needs. The Province has its own geography, health structures and challenges, particularly in the countryside, where access can already be difficult. That means that any future proposals brought forward by the Minister must be designed around the specific needs of our population. Again, I caveat my comments by saying that there may be no point establishing a stand-alone phone line if the services behind it remain as they are. As we all know, they are completely overwhelmed.”
“There needs to be some honesty about that, but, in saying that, it could become an important part of building a more joined-up model of care. That is why the Minister should explore its benefits in GB. However, there is an elephant in the room: unless social care is addressed, I am pretty confident that any new, integrated telephone service may only direct the public back into a service that is already bursting at the seams, particularly the EDs and ambulance services. Done properly and only under the right conditions, it could mean that a patient is assessed quickly and directed, first time, to the most appropriate service, which would ultimately ensure that people received the right care in the right place. That aligns directly with the Department's ambition to shift care closer to home.”
“<BR /> <BR />Too many people end up in emergency departments not because they need emergency care but because they do not know where else to turn. When someone is worried about a sick child, an elderly parent or symptoms that may or may not be serious, they want clear guidance. At present, the experience can be a little confusing, with people trying to decide between contacting a GP, calling an out-of-hours service, attending a pharmacy, going directly to an A&E or dialling 999. For those who are vulnerable or elderly, it is not totally clear where the correct entry point is. <BR /> <BR />We all know that an integrated 111 service would certainly not be a silver bullet for every challenge facing the health service.”
“We are content to support the motion on the basis that we wish to see the Minister consider how a 111 service has functioned on mainland GB and how effective it has been, particularly how it has impacted on EDs, GPs and the Ambulance Service. I say that respectfully to Colin, who has some personal experience of how it has worked in GB. We regularly hear and experience, even as patients ourselves, how urgent and emergency care is under huge strain. We see it in our emergency departments every day. We see and experience patients waiting far too long; ambulance crews stuck outside our hospitals; staff burnt out by doing everything that they can in really challenging circumstances; and people being frustrated because they simply cannot access the right care at the right time.”
“Can the Minister detail to the House the targets and timelines that the Department has set for restoring public trust and increasing cervical screening uptake across Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. What additional powers, if any, does the Minister intend to provide to local councils and enforcement agencies to help tackle illegal dumping?”
“The message from the north coast is simple: we value our university, the jobs that it supports and the opportunity that it creates, so we want and expect a strong and ambitious future for the university in Coleraine. Such regional assets must be protected for the generations to come.”
“The long-term sustainability and success of the Coleraine campus must remain a priority not only for the university but for the wider regional economy. <BR /> <BR />I want to be clear that Coleraine must not be an afterthought. That is the message that the MP and I made clear during our meeting with the leaders of the university last week. Too often, there is a feeling that everything gravitates towards Belfast, while other areas are expected to do less and make do with less. The Department and university leadership must work together to ensure that there is a long-term future for Coleraine and to ensure that that campus is not weakened.”
“Local hospitality, retail, transport providers, landlords and tourism businesses benefit from the presence of students and university staff throughout the year, especially outside the peak tourist season. The university also plays a role in attracting young people to the north coast and retaining them in the area. Students whom I have spoken to want clarity and reassurance about the future of courses at Coleraine, and staff who have given years of service want transparency and full engagement throughout the process. <BR /> <BR />Ulster University has stated its promise to Coleraine in its multi-campus university, and it is essential that that is reflected in future planning and investment decisions.”
“Gregory Campbell and I met representatives from Ulster University on Friday past regarding the proposed redundancies at the university. Following the meeting, we remain concerned, particularly for the Coleraine campus and the wider north coast economy. Coleraine uni is a vital economic, social and cultural anchor for the region. The uncertainty surrounding up to 450 potential job losses has understandably created anxiety among staff, students, local businesses and the wider region along the north coast. Many people fear that Coleraine could be overly impacted at a time when significant investment is being seen elsewhere in the university estate, especially at Magee. <BR /> <BR />Any reduction in staffing or courses would have consequences far beyond the campus.”
“It is also important to recognise that the home care sector's staff, who are among some of the lowest paid in the health system, stepped up and showed extraordinary bravery during and after the COVID pandemic, in particular. Home care workers will tell you that they are fed up with warm words and gratitude. I therefore support the motion and hope that other Members will support our amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Crucially, people should not face poor access to home care simply because they live in a rural area or because providers cannot recruit staff. Everyone deserves home care, regardless of the postcode. It is therefore deeply concerning that care in the countryside could be cut, according to a major healthcare company. <BR /> <BR />Strengthening home care is the smart thing to do, economically and strategically. Investing in community care reduces pressure in hospitals, supports early intervention and improves quality of life for countless individuals and their families. All of us in the Chamber want to ensure that people who require home care can age with independence, grace and respect.”
“It is key to patients being treated in beds rather than on trolleys, in ambulances or in hospital corridors. Patients fit for discharge are not free to treat in hospital. It costs money that could be better spent. <BR /> <BR />It is important to recognise that home care workers carry out skilled, emotionally demanding and physically challenging work. They often become a trusted source of companionship for those who might otherwise see very few people throughout the day. That is why the previous commitment to introduce the real living wage for independent care workers is so important. Pay alone will not solve every challenge in the sector, but it is widely recognised as an important foundation for recruitment and retention.”
“<BR /> <BR />The consequences are that, every day, hundreds of patients who are fit for discharge remain stuck in under-pressure hospital beds because there is no care package for them in their own home or an appropriate package cannot be put in place quickly. That issue ripples right across the health service, contributing to overcrowding in emergency departments, ambulance pressures and growing waiting lists. A 2025 Audit Office report highlighted that 3,800 patients were potentially subject to severe harm in 2024 as a result of handover delays. Furthermore, the RCEM estimates that long waits in EDs were linked to 1,032 excess deaths in 2025. Therefore, when we talk in the House about home care, it is a key pillar and is central to the functioning of the entire health and social care system.”
“The unmet figures at the end of March this year indicated that 1,872 individuals were awaiting a full care package and 893 were awaiting part packages of care. <BR /> <BR />In the independent sector across Northern Ireland, care workers are leaving because they feel undervalued, underpaid and exhausted. In one provider alone, 73% of their leavers are leaving the sector altogether. Other providers highlight how that issue is now at a tipping point. As I referred to, some struggle to retain staff, particularly in rural areas where travel distances are greater while fuel costs continue to rise. In some areas, packages of care are at breaking point due to high rates of staff sickness.”
“More people are living longer with complex health needs, and, increasingly, care is delivered not in hospitals but in people's homes. The neighbourhood model and shift left is the right direction of travel. Ask people and most will say that they want to remain at home for as long as possible. From a health perspective, prevention and community-based support are more sustainable than repeated hospital admissions or prolonged stays in acute settings. <BR /> <BR />While demand in the sector continues to grow, the pressures facing home care providers and workers are becoming unsustainable. The Department told us in late April that there have been sustained pressures on the system over recent years, particularly within home care.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I very much welcome the opportunity to speak on this important and timely motion. I thank the Members who tabled it, and I hope that they can support our amendment. <BR /> <BR />We have heard the term "a lifeline" used in the Chamber many times. How fitting is that term for home care or domiciliary care? It is indeed a lifeline for so many of our people. It is the support that allows an older person to be in the home that they have lived in for decades. Home care services offer reassurance for a person with disabilities to live independently and allow those who live with long-term conditions to remain close to their families and neighbours and in their local area. <BR /> <BR />The population here is ageing, and demand is therefore increasing.”
“— developing later and reduce pressure elsewhere.”
“Of course, we all recognise the budgetary pressures facing the Executive and the Department, but early intervention and effective support prevent more serious crises —”
“<BR /> <BR />I place on record my appreciation of the work of organisations such as Autism NI, which has been pushing for a special mental health service for autism. Its adult autism support service is important and welcome, but those charities cannot and should not be expected to do it alone. What is available in parts of Northern Ireland should not depend on geography or charitable capacity. We need regional adult autism services that provide support, both before and after diagnosis.”
“We cannot continue treating autism and mental health as entirely separate issues. They are clearly interconnected, and the services out there must truly reflect that. That is why Autism NI's calls for a specialist autism mental health service need to be actioned. Mental health professionals must be trained in autism, and people must be able to access support before they reach that crisis point. <BR /> <BR />Autistic adults also face a stark employment gap. Autistic people have enormous talent, ability and potential, yet, despite many wanting to work, only three in 10 adults are currently in full-time employment. Barriers such as inaccessible recruitment processes, lack of workplace understanding and inadequate support continue to lock too many people out of employment and prevent them gaining the independence that they so richly deserve.”
“Even then, many of those people encounter further barriers when trying to access NHS support or medication following a private diagnosis. Adults are left in limbo: diagnosed but with no treatment pathway, no mental health support and no follow-up care. <BR /> <BR />Autistic adults face challenges, particularly around mental health and employment. Autism NI has highlighted figures that show that autistic adults are significantly more likely to experience severe mental health challenges. Ed Austin, the strategic planning and performance group (SPPG) autism lead, said that, while the prevalence rate of autism amongst adults in Northern Ireland is around 1·9%, there is substantial over-representation in mental health services, crisis intervention settings and psychiatric care.”
“As a result, we have many adults seeking a diagnosis later in life, after being entirely missed as children. At the same time, we have growing numbers of young children entering adulthood who need ongoing support. Despite that growing demand, the services have not kept pace. Last year, in response to an Assembly question for written answer from my colleague Diane Dodds, the Minister confirmed that more than 4,000 adults were waiting for an autism assessment across our health trusts. <BR /> <BR />Some of those adults wait years for diagnosis, and, because of the unacceptable waiting times, many people feel that they have no option but to pay privately, often at enormous financial cost to them and their families.”
“It identifies weaknesses, including inconsistent reporting, poor data collection, gaps in accountability and a postcode lottery for the services that are available. It also, rightly, notes the absence of a joined-up transition pathway for autistic young people moving into adulthood. We thank our Assembly colleague Mr Gaston for tabling the amendment. It is an issue that many Members will recognise from their constituency casework, with parents telling us, repeatedly, that support falls away once a child leaves school. Young people who may have had some structure and support suddenly find themselves trying to navigate adult services that are difficult to access and, in some cases, simply non-existent. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland did not begin diagnosing autism in any significant way until the late 1990s.”
“I, like others, very much welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. In the previous Assembly mandate, it was the DUP that brought forward the legislation that was designed to help speed up diagnosis, intervention and support for people with autism. The Autism Act and subsequent amendments were intended to ensure that autistic people in Northern Ireland could access improved services and support throughout their lives, not simply at one stage or another. The creation of the Independent Autism Reviewer was also a direct result of that legislation. <BR /> <BR />The report, which was published earlier this year, makes for concerning reading. It effectively says that families are still being left to piece services together themselves.”
“The North West 200 showcases Northern Ireland on the international stage in a way that few events can. Television coverage and media attention reach millions of viewers worldwide, promoting our tourism industry, landscape and reputation as a welcoming place. It is a sporting event that is an economic engine and a global advertisement for the Province. <BR /> <BR />The North West 200 is and has always been one of Northern Ireland's greatest success stories, and we thank the organisers for that. Today, it is important to recognise not only the races but the enormous contribution that the event makes to our economy and our international profile. As I mentioned at the beginning of my speech, it is also important that, today, we remember Mr Holan, a rider who was lost doing what he loved most.”
“The roar of the engines, the sight of riders reaching breathtaking speeds and the crowds lining the coast create an unforgettable spectacle. Families return year after year. Visitors discover our stunning coastline, our hospitality and our people. For many, the North West 200 is their introduction to the Province, and what an introduction it is. <BR /> <BR />The impact of the North West 200 reaches far beyond sport. The event is recognised as and proven to be a vital driver of the local economy. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, cafes, shops, transport providers and local businesses all benefit from the influx of visitors. During race week, accommodation is booked out months in advance, hospitality venues thrive, jobs are supported and revenue flows directly into our area.”