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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“Yesterday, in the House, I referred to a 100-year anniversary, and I want to make a short reference to another: Limavady Hockey Club celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Given the history of the House, it is always good to put on record sporting organisations across the Province that merit attention, especially on the way that they have existed alongside this seat of power. <BR /> <BR />I am no expert on hockey. The expertise in that sport seems to lie with the Education Minister and hockey coach, Paul Givan. However, it would be remiss of me, as someone born and bred in the Roe Valley, not to refer to that piece of Limavady sporting history, even as someone with limited knowledge of all things hockey.”
“We are united in wanting to see waiting lists improved.”
“I thank the Minister for clarifying that. It is good that Encompass is live in all trusts now, and I hope that benefits will flow from that. <BR /> <BR />The Minister also touched on workforce, and we have said in here in the past that, without a workforce, we do not have a health service. We also welcome the increase in CT capacity that he referred to. That will allow for 9,000 additional scans. I stand to be corrected on that. I have to say, however, that I expected the Minister to come out fighting today, but he certainly kept it within the tramlines, other than a few spicy moments near the end of his contribution. We can only hope that, on the back of today's debate, we see some further implementation on this critical topic. <BR /> <BR />I thank everyone for their contributions today.”
“Absolutely, I will. I really hope that it is not the case.”
“She also referenced regional waiting lists, and the fact that the Minister has announced, just today, a regional approach to red-flag cancer assessments going live is welcome. <BR /> <BR />That leads me nicely on to the Minister's comments. His announcement through the press statement that we have had sight of today begs the question of whether it takes debates such as this to force that change.”
“He called on the Minister to lower the age for bowel screening, and, again, we very much agree with that. <BR /> <BR />Stewart Dickson talked about his own diagnosis, and, as I have said in here before and will say again and again, personal experiences breathe life into debates in the Chamber. Forgive me if I have picked this up incorrectly, but I think that he called the current waiting list figures "a disgrace". Not one of us in the Chamber and not one member of the public will disagree. <BR /> <BR />Claire Sugden talked about having to wait 12 weeks for a cancer investigation, and I am sure that all of us in the House will wish her well. She is not here at the moment, but I hope that she is listening.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ciara Ferguson talked about the importance of listening to young people with cancer and spoke of the importance of clinical trials for women. She acknowledged and praised the local organisations that are at the forefront of the disease. Paul Frew talked about former colleagues in the Chamber — we can all think of some of them — who are no longer with us as a result of cancer. He used a phrase in referring to those diagnosed with cancer: "the clock goes faster". I am sure that those listening to the debate will agree entirely. Danny Donnelly, speaking about the cancer strategy, said that it was underfunded, which, indeed, is true of a number of strategies. He called on an investment plan to deliver, and we certainly agree on that.”
“He, too, welcomed the waiting list investment plan but called for clear targets. Nuala McAllister referenced how the issues had been debated before. I share her frustration and am on record in the Chamber in that regard. A new mandate is fast approaching, and I suspect that those elected in the next mandate will have quite the challenge waiting for them. I hope that I am proved wrong. <BR /> <BR />Alan Chambers acknowledged that breast cancer waiting times are "awful". He expressed his disappointment at Mrs Dodds's "negativity" about the forthcoming cross-border scheme and wanted to know whether it was DUP policy. I say this to Alan: Mrs Dodds's comments in the previous debate — she expressed her concerns about health inequalities — have been backed up and reinforced in recent days by the deputy chair of the BMA.”
“Diane Dodds was in her usual feisty form and detailed the appalling stats on cancer waiting times. She said that the stats for breast cancer are letting women down. It needs to be repeated that 25,000 youngsters are on a waiting list to see a paediatrician in the Belfast Trust and the Southern Trust. None of us could not be shocked by those figures, which add to the figures in our motion. Colin McGrath spoke about the theme of fear. He said that it is cancer and that it can land like a hammer blow. He is correct, but, when you add the huge waiting list times, you only add to the cruelty that is happening in this Province. Philip McGuigan, the Health Committee Chair, talked about the importance of catching cancer early, which reinforces the reason for tabling the motion.”
“All of us in the House ask that that funding is not diluted, redirected or delayed; it must be ring-fenced specifically for initiatives that relieve the immediate pressure and allow the building of long-term resilience in cancer waiting times. That means investing in proven and practical solutions, rapid diagnosis centres, mega-clinics and service reviews that strip out inefficiencies. We welcome the £10 million announced by the Minister for mega-clinics and look forward to seeing the detail. We have to think not just about firefighting the crisis but about preventing it from reoccurring. To that end, we welcome the Minister's recent holding statement to the House on the investment plan to cut waiting lists. <BR /> <BR />I will sum up a few of the comments from Members.”
“We need to say it as it is: it is shocking and shameful. <BR /> <BR />Speak to any cancer specialist, and they will say that the disease is a race against time. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more effective and less invasive the treatment can be. That was repeated by Cancer Focus in 2024, which said that the earlier it is detected, the better the outcome. Clearly, the long waits for patients in the Province, whilst frustrating, are dangerous. They can lead to a later-stage diagnosis, reduced treatment options, poor outcomes and irreparable psychological damage. I welcome the £215 million that has been allocated to tackling waiting lists in the Executive's 2025-26 Budget.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will say a few words of my own before I address those of others. <BR /> <BR />The headline that fewer than one third of patients who were referred urgently for suspected breast cancer during October to December last year were seen within the 14-day target is half the story. You could say that the real story is that two thirds of those referred urgently with suspected breast cancer were not seen within the 14-day target. They are all local people, some of whom we know, waiting anxiously for answers and clarity and living in hope of a positive outcome. Just imagine the terror and fear of a woman who discovers that she has breast cancer and then realises that, in Northern Ireland, only 37·7% of patients are seen by a breast cancer specialist within the 14-day target.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Will he indicate whether the Department has sufficient data to inform its decision-making process?”
“— but proud part of the world can make on the global stage.”
“As we mark the centenary of his death, let us remember William Ferguson Massey not only as a great leader of New Zealand but as a son of Ulster who carried the values of this land across the sea. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the profound contributions that individuals from this small —”
“Today, Limavady proudly honours Massey with an impressive 2-metre-tall bronze statue outside the council building in Connell Street. The statue is surrounded by plants of New Zealand origin, symbolising the enduring bond between his birthplace and his adopted homeland. Moreover, here at Stormont, the avenue that leads up to these very Parliament Buildings bears his name; a lasting tribute to his legacy. In May 1925, New Zealand's 'The Free Lance' newspaper published a moving tribute to Massey, which includes the following lines:”
“Massey went on to serve as Prime Minister from 1912 until his death in 1925, making him New Zealand's longest-serving leader. Massey's obituary in 'The Times' declared that, all through his career, though a New Zealander of New Zealanders, he would never allow it to be forgotten that he was an Ulsterman. His legacy therefore is one not just of political transformation but of deep connection to his roots in Ulster.”
“which is a reflection of the deep pride that Ulster took in one of its most distinguished sons. <BR /> <BR />William F Massey was born in Limavady in 1856. An Ulsterman by birth, at the age of 14, he emigrated to New Zealand, where he became a farmer, earning the affectionate moniker "Farmer Bill". However, Massey's impact extended far beyond the fields; through sheer determination, skill and an unwavering sense of duty, he rose to become one of New Zealand's most significant political leaders. New Zealand parliamentary debates recall Massey as an organised, articulate and well-read statesman. He was sometimes verbose, and he was deeply influenced by biblical references. He took an Opposition that had all but ceased to exist and, through force of personality and astute leadership, transformed it into a well-organised political force.”
“One hundred years ago today, on 12 May 1925, the then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Sir James Craig, rose in this House to pay tribute to the late Prime Minister of New Zealand, William Ferguson Massey. Craig described Massey as:”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, will you indicate, for those whom I represent, what benefits the investment will bring to Causeway Hospital, specifically with regard to using theatres or scanners and its becoming an elective hub?”
“We ask the Department to be reactive but also proactive in addressing the needs of those living with diabetes.”
“Stewart Dickson brought life to the debate, giving a personal family testimony. He too spoke highly of the Northern Trust's teams, who are on the front line every day dealing with the issue. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I thank the Health Minister for his contribution. He was honest in his assessment today, as he always is, but without using his irony klaxon. It is promising that, with Encompass, we will see movement in the right direction by the end of the year. Given all that he said in the Chamber tonight, we look forward to him being back on the Floor with updates. <BR /> <BR />All that we ask for in the motion is fairness and the means to ensure that Northern Ireland keeps pace with the rest of the UK in delivering high-quality diabetes care.”
“Those are startling figures and reinforce the need for early intervention and education. Alan Chambers, my colleague on the Health Committee, recognised the issue as a health crisis, and we thank him for that. Colin McGrath highlighted the fact that £1 million per day is required to manage the issue, keeping to the theme of other Members about the cost to the health service and to public funds. Órlaithí Flynn talked of the difficulties experienced by children living with the condition: we all very much share that view. Diane Dodds, my Health Committee colleague, talked of the long-term and serious consequences of the condition, which reinforces why we were keen to table the motion. I mention in particular my party colleague, Cheryl Brownlee: maybe another marathon beckons for her to raise money for yet another fantastic cause.”
“Our motion simply asks that everyone affected by diabetes in the Province receive the highest standard of care, that they get access to the best technologies available on a UK-wide basis and that they benefit from robust data-driven improvements to our services. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to some of the comments that were made. Ms Cheryl Brownlee said that, without intervention, many people are at risk. I applaud her for speaking so highly of those in the health service, who are on the front line. Philip McGuigan, the Chair of the Health Committee, talked of his family experiences. I have said before that our personal experiences sometimes add value to what can sometimes be stale debates in the Chamber. Danny Donnelly talked of the increase of 3,000 new cases every year.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Given the late hour and the fact that a number of us in the Building tonight have young families, I will make my speech as short as I can. <BR /> <BR />I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the issue, given that diabetes is recognised as a public health challenge in Northern Ireland, with 115,000 individuals affected by the condition. I will also say that my party is grateful to Members across the Chamber for their support for the motion. It has been a long time since a Health debate has divided the House, and I hope that that brings a little comfort to the Health Minister. We are united in the Chamber when it comes to health.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hope that the Minister of Health continues to engage with stakeholders in the sector and listen to their concerns. I have no doubt that he understands the challenges that they face, and I hope that they and the Executive work together to find a long-term, sustainable funding solution.”
“The Committee looks forward to the day when a three-year funding model can be offered. It is positive that, following a recent inquiry, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee is calling on the UK Government to provide three-year funding. We hope that that is a "game changer", as suggested earlier by the Finance Minister. The current level of core grant funding is nowhere near sufficient to sustain, let alone expand, the current community and voluntary services. We know that demand for that type of community-based support is increasing and that, without investment, fewer people will receive the support that they need. The impact of the funding shortfall is being felt across the region by patients, families and the highly pressurised health service.”
“For every pound invested in those services, multiples are saved in future costs to the health service, to the economy and to society in general. With a Health budget of £8·4 billion, are we so far gone that we cannot fund organisations that, rather than being mere add-ons, are integral to alleviating the huge pressures on statutory services, are dealing with issues at their roots and, ultimately, are improving outcomes? <BR /> <BR />I agree that demand was always going to outstrip supply, and it is good to hear that the standard of applications was very high. That tells me that their needs are clearly proven. With a budget of only £1·8 million, however, there were always going to be many fallers in a high-stakes race. That is deeply regrettable. It is also regrettable that the one-year funding model does not provide security.”
“This is a sector that, sometimes, is the first point of contact for individuals who may be reluctant to approach formal health services. <BR /> <BR />During the previous debate, I said that the health service cannot fill the void left by the loss of those organisations and that we are only setting ourselves up for even bigger problems. I stand by that. Individuals who use and are dependent on those services will end up in worse situations that could have been prevented with early support. How many times in the Chamber have we been told that prevention is better and more cost-effective than the cure? Surely, long-term thinking will say that it is cheaper to fund those services now than to deal with the long-term consequences. Some of those organisations say that it is penny wise and pound foolish.”
“As defeatist as it may sound, we will probably have this debate next year too. <BR /> <BR />I think that Members can see how frustrated and fatigued I am, but just imagine how so many in the community and voluntary sector must feel when they are short of a contribution of £5,000 right up to £100,000. I doubt that tea and sympathy will cut it for the families, children, elderly people and those with mental health issues. Last year, we heard how the 50% cut to the core grant fund placed some of the organisations on the brink. It led to staff being laid off, and it forced them to change the way that they operate. Some of the groups back then said that the move was short-sighted, and they predicted that, if the scheme were to cease entirely, 62% of them would be at risk of collapse.”
“As other Members have done, I express our disappointment that only 25 out of 259 community and voluntary sector organisations were successful in their application for the redesigned core grant scheme. Over 90% of applicants — organisations that provide wonderful support to some of the most vulnerable people in the Province — were left without key funding to cover the fixed costs that they need to continue their work. I stress that it is fixed costs that are impacted on here, but, when fixed costs are impacted on, organisations' viability is impacted on and then so too are the services that they provide. I must say, however, without breaking rank from my fellow Health Committee members, that we had this debate last year in the Chamber. Nothing changed other than a redesigned scheme.”
“I thank the Member for his response. Are any further works required to the Building?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. What steps, Minister, is your Department, alongside Invest NI, taking to attract further new business and investment to Roe valley, particularly in high-value industries?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister said that buildings were important but so is the workforce. In a debate last week in the Chamber, I said that we should never tire of thanking our healthcare workforce, and I thank the Minister for doing just that today. He focused on the importance of climate change when developing and creating new buildings. He spoke about the importance of targeted investment across the health service and cited a number of investments in the 50-year-old Craigavon Area Hospital. We thank him for that. It was positive that, in his contribution, he pointed to the fact that the programme business case has been updated. I am sure that my Upper Bann colleague Diane Dodds, the proposer of the motion, will be pleased to hear that. I am sure that she will keep her focus on the matter in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
“Those issues are important, and we should never tire of highlighting them in the Chamber, at the Health Committee or in any forum where we get the opportunity to do so. <BR /> <BR />Philip McGuigan, the Chair of the Health Committee, focused on the workforce, equipment and buildings, all of which have been raised consistently in the Chamber over the past year. Diane Forsythe highlighted the amazing staff at Craigavon Area Hospital, which could also be said of our hospital staff throughout the region that we represent. She also focused on how overspends could have been used elsewhere. <BR /> <BR />Justin McNulty supported the motion and called Craigavon Area Hospital a "lifeline hospital". As I have said repeatedly, that could be said of all of our hospitals, including Causeway Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital in my constituency.”
“He said that, if we continue to ignore those, we will only create further problems. He hit the bullseye there. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad Ennis talked about Craigavon being a major hub and about how it is essential for thousands of patients. She said, "Invest wisely": that could be said of all Departments. <BR /> <BR />Jonny Buckley joined the chorus. He talked about the reach and regional importance of Craigavon. He made the case well, and Upper Bann is lucky to have him as MLA. He talked about Craigavon looking like a war scene. I suppose that similar could be said of Altnagelvin's ED, which I mentioned. <BR /> <BR />On a theme that was taken up by others, Nuala McAllister talked about the costs of the health estate spiralling.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. <BR /> <BR />I will continue. We welcome the fact that Linda Dillon broadened her comments to include the entire health estate. <BR /> <BR />Eóin Tennyson highlighted various cases that evidence need at Craigavon. He, too, made reference to overruns. That was a common theme today and was mentioned in a number of contributions. <BR /> <BR />Alan Chambers, my colleague on the Health Committee, pointed to what he called the "double standards" of voting for a Budget that, he feels, falls short and then going on to ask for capital investment. That, however, is our job. <BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath spoke of something that he and I agree on: we see promises that are not followed through and strategies that lie on the shelf gathering dust.”
“I ask the Minister whether any other options to fund the new facility are open to him, as we all want to see healthcare systems and infrastructure that are fit for the 21st century, and we want to see an updated business case for Craigavon Area Hospital, as my colleague Diane Dodds proposed. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to some of the comments. I thank my colleague Diane, who argued the case for Craigavon well, specifically about the master plan, which is 10 years old. She rightly focused on the cost overruns in capital projects that impact on the ability to progress other projects that are needed. <BR /> <BR />Linda Dillon pointed out that Craigavon has been crying out and is in dire need. She cited examples of its poor standards.”
“One investment that I would welcome is a new emergency department for Altnagelvin. Our health service was in a different place in 1985, which is when Altnagelvin ED was constructed. It was added to in 2001 to allow for a 50-seat waiting area. It is well documented that that A&E lacks space, with overcrowding not only affecting the patients who are waiting but adversely affecting the hard-working staff. Picture yourself trying to provide skilled healthcare in an environment that can resemble a chaotic army field hospital. I suppose that that is replicated across our Province.”
“It was disappointing to receive a recent departmental briefing that current funding will not allow the progress of new capital investment, that the estimated backlog of maintenance liability is more than £1·4 billion and that, without additional investment, the health estate will continue to deteriorate.”
“My constituency crosses two trusts: the Western Trust and the Northern Trust. The Northern Trust has received only approximately 9% of capital investment over the past 10 years. Some may say that the Causeway Hospital, which was built at a cost of £55 million in 2002, and the Antrim Area Hospital, which was built in 1994 at a cost of a mere £40 million, are relatively new, but healthcare staff should not have to work in an environment in which space and resources are stretched beyond their limits. None of us wants hard-working staff and patients to continue to face the consequences of ageing facilities that no longer meet modern healthcare standards.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. When Members saw in the Order Paper that Alan Robinson, an East Londonderry MLA, was seconding a motion on Craigavon Area Hospital, they may have thought that, given that today is 1 April, it was an April Fool. It is not: I am very pleased to support my colleague from Upper Bann Diane Dodds. <BR /> <BR />On many occasions in the Chamber, we have debated how the health service is under enormous strain, but the infrastructure that supports it must be fit for purpose. It is disappointing that, despite clear evidence of the need for funding for redevelopment projects, allocations remain uneven across health and social care trust areas.”
“Yes, I am making the winding-up speech, Mr Deputy Speaker.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers. Can the Minister indicate how much the changes are likely to cost Northern Ireland?”
“I have no doubt that many generations will continue to do so, with members not only from the rural areas of the Roe valley but from far beyond the areas where they were born. <BR /> <BR />Both bands are solely about expressing their proud identities and celebrating their heritage. I want to tell both bands how incredibly proud I am that they continue to promote, partake in and celebrate our treasured culture. On this anniversary year and ahead of the marching season, I encourage them both to continue to wear their uniforms and fly their colours with immense pride. From the seat of government in the Province, I hope that they both have a thoroughly enjoyable year.”
“Ten years ago, when I was mayor of Limavady Borough Council, I ensured that the band visited the council chamber, where it was the first fully uniformed flute band, with its standard, to visit Limavady's council chamber and mayor's parlour. The band has an illustrious history, having travelled throughout the Province and participated in events in Scotland. <BR /> <BR />Being in a marching band is like having a second family; indeed, that can be said of both of those distinguished flute bands. Friendships become bonds for life. Lifelong friendships have developed in Edenmore and Ballyquin; indeed, relationships have blossomed into lifelong marriages outside the band environment. Generations of local families have stepped out in the proud colours of both bands.”
“Later in the year, they will run a marathon, involve themselves in fundraising, among many other ventures, and put on a 100th-anniversary parade in Limavady that will see the streets of that town packed and the finest marching bands travelling from across the Province to show their support for a unique blood-and-thunder flute band that is one of Northern Ireland's finest. <BR /> <BR />This year, Edenmore flute band will celebrate its 135th year on the road. It is the oldest band in the Limavady district. As a former member, I have a close affinity with the band; indeed, it is a pleasure to walk behind the band during key celebrations during the year as a member of Edenmore "No Surrender" Apprentice Boys.”
“I pay tribute to well-respected and popular flute bands in my constituency that, this year, celebrate significant milestones in their long history. Ballyquin flute band was formed in 1925 and, this year, will celebrate its 100th anniversary. I want to applaud the bandmaster, Mr David McKeegan, who, along with the band members, has been leading a year-long programme of events that is well under way. They have been holding cultural nights and concerts with high-quality line-ups.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she ask her officials to consider two schools in my constituency, namely Ballykelly Primary School and Macosquin Primary School, that have concerns about child safety?”
“Does the Minister agree that having 18,000 vehicles a day —?”