Peter McReynolds
East Belfast · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I start by sharing my condolences and those of my party colleagues to the family of Kourtney McCormick on her tragic passing. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the important next step in the introduction of the graduated driver licensing scheme as Alliance spokesperson for Infrastructure, a Policing Board member and chair of the all-party group on r…”
“<BR /> <BR />I commend those from the driving instructor industry, the DVA and those in the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership for all their work in preparing for the smooth introduction of the GDL measures. They have been proactive and thorough in ensuring that they understand what is expected of them to make GDL a success story.”
“We have already had 33 road deaths this year alone, and more than 150 since 2024. It is clear that more needs to be done to improve road safety.”
“The revised restrictions will include a mandatory minimum learning period of six months; a programme of training; a logbook; passenger restrictions; new R-plates; the extension of the post-test period to 24 months; and removal of the 45 mph speed limit on motorways.”
“First Minister, the Institute of Directors and the Construction Employers Federation are still calling for the establishment of an independent, expert-led infrastructure commission some five years after it appeared on page 27 of the previous Executive's COVID recovery plan, to which you were a co-signatory.”
“<BR /> <BR />East Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole have huge potential for aviation development, and the master plan is just one part of a larger move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly travel.”
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“I beg to introduce the Tree Protection Bill [NIA 41/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the law relating to the protection of trees and woodlands.”
“However, GDL will make a significant difference, so Alliance will support the passage of the regulations, and I thank the Minister for her work to date on them and for her sincerity today.”
“<BR /> <BR />I commend those from the driving instructor industry, the DVA and those in the Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership for all their work in preparing for the smooth introduction of the GDL measures. They have been proactive and thorough in ensuring that they understand what is expected of them to make GDL a success story. <BR /> <BR />Members will remember the news when it was first announced that we would be the first in the UK to introduce GDL practices. Being recognised in that manner, as a leader in road safety, is a great step, and I hope to see the future success of GDL to reduce the number of collisions and fatalities on our roads. <BR /> <BR />Our work on improving road safety here in Northern Ireland is not over today.”
“The revised restrictions will include a mandatory minimum learning period of six months; a programme of training; a logbook; passenger restrictions; new R-plates; the extension of the post-test period to 24 months; and removal of the 45 mph speed limit on motorways. Those restrictions have been discussed and debated in the Infrastructure Committee, and it is fair to say that we are satisfied with them now. The introduction of the different R-plates for the first six months and the following 18 months will assist in the identification of those who are under passenger restrictions. There was concern around how identification would work, and I welcome the clear, pragmatic approach that was found to address those concerns.”
“We have already had 33 road deaths this year alone, and more than 150 since 2024. It is clear that more needs to be done to improve road safety. Data tells us that 24% of fatal or serious collisions are caused by drivers aged 17 to 23, despite their holding only 8% of licences, so it is clear that measures need to be targeted to address risks among less-experienced drivers. With the introduction of GDL, we hope to see a significant decline in road traffic accidents over time. <BR /> <BR />The regulations will amend the Motor Vehicles (Specified Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 to reflect the introduction of revised restrictions for newly qualified drivers, updating the distinguishing mark and exemptions.”
“I start by sharing my condolences and those of my party colleagues to the family of Kourtney McCormick on her tragic passing. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the important next step in the introduction of the graduated driver licensing scheme as Alliance spokesperson for Infrastructure, a Policing Board member and chair of the all-party group on road safety. As we have already heard today, the measures for graduated driver licensing were passed in the Road Traffic Amendment (Northern Ireland) Act 2016. A decade later, we are finally seeing its introduction. It is overdue in the context of the shocking number of deaths and collisions on our roads, the impact that that has on individuals and their families and the pressures that that puts on the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />What is the present context?”
“First Minister, the Institute of Directors and the Construction Employers Federation are still calling for the establishment of an independent, expert-led infrastructure commission some five years after it appeared on page 27 of the previous Executive's COVID recovery plan, to which you were a co-signatory. It was also welcomed by previous Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon. What has contributed to the delay, and why are departmental responses on the topic becoming shorter rather than longer?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. That is encouraging to hear. When will you be in a position to set out next steps on revaluation and support for the hospitality sector?”
“Minister, can you set out what the likely consequences for public services will be if you fail to reach agreement with the Treasury and secure Executive approval for a draft Budget?”
“I thank the Minister for his response and acknowledge the work that he is doing weekly, as he said. What action will he be taking in the coming months to ensure that no child will be left without a place in September?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I certainly welcome that road safety was such a focus. Specifically on speeding and intoxicated driving, what legislative changes will we see in Northern Ireland during the mandate to tackle those issues?”
“East Belfast has had, as it will always have, successes and a proud heritage of building ships and planes, and the future of Belfast City Airport can be one part of making Northern Ireland a world leader in aviation and innovation. I look forward to any update from the Minister for Infrastructure today on the aviation strategy and acknowledge a potential future planning application for further and wider consultation on more detailed plans.”
“<BR /> <BR />East Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole have huge potential for aviation development, and the master plan is just one part of a larger move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly travel. Just last week, Mr Honeyford, my office and I met CATAGEN, which is an east Belfast-based company whose goal is to clean and decarbonise air. It was founded by two men who went to Queen's University Belfast, one of whom had an idea for how to create sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel as part of his PhD. Today, CATAGEN is leading innovation by creating sustainable aviation fuel just down the road from this Building. Furthermore, just last week, I welcomed the announcement of an order placed by AirAsia for 150 aircrafts, valued at around £14 billion, the wings and fuselage for which are made in east Belfast.”
“As the proposer of the motion acknowledged, the introduction of the first rail halt for an airport on the island of Ireland will also be a game changer for east Belfast, reducing traffic emissions while improving access for passengers. The encouragement of airlines to move to more environmentally friendly and quieter aircraft will also contribute positively by reducing emissions while not impeding biodiversity or creating further noise pollution. <BR /> <BR />For many years, the airport has played a key function by supporting community groups through its community fund. That funding will increase by £300,000 in the next three years to support schools, charities and community projects. Alongside that, it will create an employment academy, allowing for up to 15% of new jobs to be delivered through apprenticeships.”
“The environmental goals are positive, with aspirations to achieve 10% of 2040 energy needs through on-site renewables; reduce site water consumption by 50% by 2035; introduce electric power to aircraft from all stands. It is about seeing sustainability as common sense, rather than a barrier, in the modern day. We know how much aviation contributes to climate change. In that context, steps towards greater sustainability are essential, not a luxury.”
“The openness and transparency shown were greatly welcomed before the published master plan statement was launched earlier this year. Throughout the master plan, the will and desire to work with others to achieve the airport's goals were clear, with aims of achieving environmental targets and sustainability goals tied to its overall growth. That will allow Belfast City Airport to stand out as a key part of aviation on the island of Ireland while showing the power of innovation and technological progress. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the environment and sustainability, the master plan shows new and forward-thinking ideas, which are welcome. The UK's jet zero strategy will require aviation to think differently about how transport is conducted. This master plan takes the next steps in achieving those targets.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As an MLA for East Belfast and a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Belfast City Airport master plan, and I welcome the fact that the Infrastructure Minister is here to respond to the debate. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government encourage all airports to have a master plan. As the previous master plan for Belfast City Airport was published in 2006, it is important that the airport now have an up-to-date document. As the aviation industry continues to evolve and grow, it is necessary for airports to keep up with demand and capacity to allow connectivity across the UK. <BR /> <BR />The document was part of a robust consultation process. It received 376 formal responses, and 72% of respondents supported the ambition of the draft report.”
“Thank you, deputy First Minister. As already mentioned today, community and voluntary groups are yet to receive their letters of offer of funding through central good relations funding or other programmes such as the minority ethnic development fund, both of which ensure that grassroots services can proceed without risk of closure. When will they receive those letters or at least a letter of comfort?”
“There are age-appropriate ways of engaging and educating young people who end up in the justice system, in conjunction with their parents, including through youth conferences and the work of the Youth Justice Agency. <BR /> <BR />I commend the PSNI officers who managed the situation on Saturday night, dispersing the crowds and maintaining the peace following the disorder. I highlight the fact that this is not all young people. Many amazing young people across east Belfast have no interest in behaving like that. I call on them to continue to show their peers that there is more to east Belfast than violence. I also urge parents to talk to their young people and help them to understand that, when they participate in recreational fighting and rioting, they put themselves at risk and could greatly harm their futures.”
“As a new parent, I say that parents should know where their children are and what they are up to. Children and young people are planning and, using public transport, travelling to prearranged gatherings to take part in antisocial behaviour. However, it is also about a failure of the system. The systemic underfunding of youth services in east Belfast means that those young people have nowhere to go and that they fall through the cracks. While youth services are doing all that they can to prevent young people from taking part, they cannot do it alone. The young people deserve better, and our community deserves better: no one wants this.”
“I will address the disorder that occurred in east Belfast on Saturday evening. Unfortunately, in past months, a number of young people have been involved in arranged fighting in east Belfast, and, at the weekend, they took it upon themselves to engage in rioting and antisocial behaviour. The most concerning part of it is that some of those involved are only 10 or 11 years old. Damage to property, organised fights and outbursts towards PSNI officers are completely unacceptable. The fact that, in 2026, restaurants had to close and a window was smashed is ridiculous. Fear will be felt and there will be a wider impact on the local community and on how others view east Belfast because of those young people's actions. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, it is also a safeguarding issue.”
“Minister, what will change immediately as a result of the review?”
“Currently, the Department for Infrastructure lacks e-scooter or scrambler-specific legislation or guidance, which makes enforcing the rules on using such vehicles vague and impractical. It is a serious road safety issue, and I call on the Minister for Infrastructure to look into potential measures to address it. There are many challenges with e-scooters and scramblers, but, as in other countries, there are many opportunities, if we can get it right. E-scooter and scramblers are here, and now we, as legislators, must catch up and approach the issue on the basis of sound evidence and good policy.”
“Just this morning, I received a call from a resident of Orangefield Avenue who is interested in today's debate. He was concerned about dangerous scrambler use and recognised on the call that police are doing everything that they can, yet it is still happening, and they are unable to intervene more strongly. <BR /> <BR />Innovative approaches are being applied, and I commend the PSNI and its west Belfast neighbourhood teams, which have worked collaboratively with the local community, youth services and schools to address the growing use of scramblers. That is how we will address the issues. They have shown that education can have a significant impact, with a 29% reduction in incidents involving scramblers in just one year. <BR /> <BR />We now need further clarity on those vehicles.”
“That causes me grave concern as a new parent and as someone who recently witnessed children coming out of Strandtown Primary School in east Belfast, just half a mile down the road from here, on an e-scooter: two individuals, without helmets, with one of them giving a lift to his friend. They made their way along a footpath beside the busy crossroads at North Road. Many who use those vehicles are children, and we want to see not the potential criminalisation of children but education and targeted interventions, which pilots have shown to be successful. <BR /> <BR />I turn to scramblers. In 2016, we saw the death of Valerie Armstrong in Colin Glen Forest Park, following a collision caused by a scrambler. Scramblers are not toys; they are heavy, motorised bikes that travel at high speeds.”
“First, I will address the issue of e-scooters, which the motion mentions. Over the past five years, the PSNI has continued to see a rise in incidents relating to e-scooters. Over 200 injuries have been reported, some of which required the Ambulance Service to be called. We need to be clear that e-scooters are not toys. We have seen the consequences of misuse across the UK and Ireland already, with e-scooters having caused serious injuries to riders and pedestrians and, sometimes, fatalities. Just last year, a fourteen-year-old boy got on the back of a friend's e-scooter on the way home from school. He was not wearing a helmet and was holding on to his friend. They were in a collision that, sadly, cost him his life when his unprotected head hit the ground.”
“As a member of the Infrastructure Committee and the Northern Ireland Policing Board, I welcome the opportunity to speak on such an important and current topic, and I am grateful to the SDLP for tabling the motion. Antisocial behaviour involving e-scooters and scramblers is becoming more and more of an issue with each passing day. Today, we will all speak broadly on various scenarios that we have seen in our areas, where many of those vehicles have been used by children and young people.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. It is also good to hear the positive response that there has been to the climate action plan. Minister, what is your assessment of the recent report by the Climate Change Committee on the cost-benefit analysis of the seventh carbon budget?”
“<BR /> <BR />I call on the Education Minister to urgently reverse the decision, to see the benefit of youth services and to meet Ledley Hall, Youth Work Alliance and me to hear how the decision — let us be clear that it is his decision — will affect services and families across Northern Ireland.”
“Farming this out to the Education Authority, with the budgetary pressures that it is already under, will not lead to the potential increase in budget that the Minister previously told me about during Education Question Time. Instead, youth services will be absorbed, looked over and then simply forgotten about. <BR /> <BR />The independent review of education estimated that over £70 million should be put into youth services, yet their funding is now being gambled with. Youth services are not even asking for more money in this instance; instead, they are simply asking for their current level of ring-fenced funding to remain intact.”
“Quite frankly, I find that completely disrespectful to the issue at hand, to the concerns raised that evening and to the residents in the surrounding area that make regular use of Lesley Hall and other organisations like it. <BR /> <BR />Research from Queen's University found that 73% of 10-year-olds and 79% of 16-year-olds identified youth clubs and centres as places where young people will always feel mostly respected. Their impact is proven across the world, but what we have here is what I heard from many that night: a Minister focused on academia, elitism and the upper class, forgetting that working-class communities who use those services deserve to have their children and communities supported and invested in as well.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following the meeting, I got home that night to urgently write to the Education Minister seeking an urgent meeting with Ledley Hall, the Youth Work Alliance and me to discuss the very real impact that his decision was going to have. Someone there that night told me not to get my hopes up, but I thought that it was a fairly standard request from an MLA to meet a Minister. For example, recently, the Infrastructure Minister met me with a day's notice. The Health Minister, just yesterday, met me about ADHD. Unfortunately, despite us advising in the request that we would make ourselves fully flexible due to his busy diary, he responded a week later that, on this occasion, he would be unable to attend, as if we had specified a date and time to meet when we had not.”
“Just before Easter recess, I attended what I can describe as a crisis meeting at Ledley Hall in east Belfast. The focus that night was the recent decision by the Education Minister to remove ring-fenced funding for youth services across Northern Ireland. That decision is an absolute catastrophe for youth services here, and the anger and tension in the room that night was clear for all to see. The decision puts Ledley Hall at risk and could close the doors of an organisation that has been operating in east Belfast for 80 years and impact on close to 1,600 youth organisations across Northern Ireland. What does that impact look like? It jeopardises support for over 165,000 young people who use those services each year as well as the volunteers and staff who prop them up.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Minister, following recent comments in the media by former senior staff from your Department, as well as several unsatisfactory briefings to the Economy Committee, what assurances can you provide that your Department will deliver on the legislation that you committed to bringing forward in this mandate?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, we regularly hear about the budget pressures facing the EA, so how do we ensure that these vital services do not get absorbed within those and that the most vulnerable children in Northern Ireland do not miss out?”
“The Bill sends a strong message that crime against anyone who works in a public service will not be tolerated. That should be welcomed by all in the Chamber. I hope that Members across the Chamber will join me in supporting the Bill, the changes that it proposes and the difference that it will make for everyone.”
“They were made campaigners through loss, and I pay tribute to the Dolan, Gallagher and McCarragher families for the persistence and courage that they have shown over the years. <BR /> <BR />I now turn my attention to another focus of the Bill: the new penalties for attacks on those performing public services. Our blue-light workers run towards the emergencies that the rest of us run from. When they are attacked, the harm does not end with them but with the next person who dials 999 and finds that there is one fewer officer or paramedic who is able to respond. We ask everything of these workers. The Bill seeks to reflect what we owe them in return. Additionally, the sentencing Bill extends to people who work in retail and hospitality. I think that we can all get fully behind that.”
“Driving under the influence is not a mistake; it is a choice, and a selfish one at that. It gambles with lives that are not yours to gamble with. Increasing the maximum sentence for causing death or harm while under the influence is so important, because it gives the maximum punishment that such an offence deserves. I welcome that, and for those who repeat such a dangerous and terrible offence, the Bill will also include provision for a possible life sentence, which, I believe, is entirely appropriate, because we simply cannot allow those willing to gamble with the lives of others to remain on our roads. I say that because behind every one of those cases is a family that did not choose to become campaigners.”
“That shared understanding is why I regularly speak on the issue and why, as chair of the all-party group on road safety, I have made Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson's attendance a core part of how our all-party group functions, bringing us face to face with the trends, the data and the "fatal five": carelessness, speeding, phone use, seat belts and drink- and drug-driving. <BR /> <BR />Last Christmas, the PSNI ran Operation Lifesaver, and it chose that time of the year because the holiday season, of all times, sees too many people willing to take a risk with substances that impair their driving. I also attended the launch of a dedicated drug-driving campaign at which the Infrastructure Minister spoke, because drug-driving is a growing threat that has no place on our roads.”
“I welcome this important Bill and do so as chair of the all-party group on road safety, the Alliance Party infrastructure spokesperson and a sitting member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. <BR /> <BR />As the Justice Minister and the Chair of the Justice Committee have detailed, the Bill's importance cannot be overstated. The Bill covers a wide range of areas, and, today, I will focus on two areas that we can all agree on: road safety and the safety of those who serve the public. Despite our political differences, road safety is a cause that regularly unites the Chamber. Every Member here knows a family that has been affected.”
“I thank the Member for her response. I am one of the Members who were there, and it was fitting that victims and survivors were front and centre that afternoon. Do you agree that the plaque is a good example of the importance of listening to victims and survivors?”
“Were data-sharing arrangements to make auto-enrolment possible discussed at those meetings with the Department of Education? Could that fit into the Executive's anti-poverty strategy?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, Advice NI has recommended that children from families in receipt of universal credit should be automatically enrolled for free school meals to ensure that no eligible family misses out.”
“Minister, you said that the new approach will open in April. In January 2025, the Infrastructure Committee heard that 230 applications were still in the system. What will happen to those applications?”
“I thank her for raising the issue today. I welcome the opportunity to raise it with the Minister, and I look forward to hearing his response to ensure that those seeking to access transport to day centres are not impacted on by driver shortages.”
“That development manifests itself in limits on access for service users, interruption to routines, impacts on care arrangements and pressure on families to find alternative transport. <BR /> <BR />The issue around transport for day-care facilities is not unique to East Belfast, but it is important. For those with complex needs, consistent and reliable transport is vital, because finding alternative transport that meets their needs is not simple. The crux of the issue is that the hiring and retention of drivers for day-centre buses has become an urgent issue, with many drivers leaving their roles in transport services for day centres to work elsewhere for better pay. You cannot fault them for seeking other opportunities in the context of a cost-of-living crisis. <BR /> <BR />Ms Bunting articulately set out the issues.”
“It works with those aged 19 and older, with the oldest users being in their 80s. Such centres are essential to ensuring that there are opportunities and support for those in our community with additional needs. They do that by providing opportunities to take part in activities and spaces in which to socialise, thereby building a community and promoting independence while providing necessary respite for families and carers. <BR /> <BR />Transportation is crucial to facilitating access to that, as we have just heard. You can imagine my surprise, Mr Deputy Speaker, when I raised the matter with the Chair of the Education Committee yesterday, only to be advised that he had heard rumblings of discontent — that drivers were leaving for better terms and conditions and pay in the education sector.”
“I will speak as an MLA for East Belfast. I thank my constituency colleague for securing the debate and welcome her back to the Assembly after a bout of illness last week. <BR /> <BR />Since becoming an MLA, I have enjoyed Adjournment debates because they bring us together as MLAs for our constituencies. While we may disagree politically on various issues, we can collectively use our voice as East Belfast MLAs to effect change for the people whom we are elected to represent. I thank David and Andy for joining us. I also thank the Minister for being present to hear about what I consider to be a live issue. <BR /> <BR />As the Member who secured the debate articulated, day centres such as Edgcumbe are vital to our community. Edgcumbe is the only day centre for adults with learning disabilities in East Belfast.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your response. Having dealt with you previously, I know that you will take the matter seriously. If you meet the Health Minister, will you explore the prioritisation of the maintenance of key routes with the trusts to make sure that, if domiciliary care staff are travelling on those core routes, the roads are in as good a state as they can be?”
“What impact will unchecked climate change, particularly higher temperatures and heavier rainfall, have on our road infrastructure? What adaptation measures is your Department taking to tackle that impact?”