Debate contribution: Hospital Parking Charges Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 16 April 2024.

MLA

Mr Alan Chambers

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

16 April 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Hospital Parking Charges Bill: Second Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4483960

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The issue has been discussed at length by the current and the previous Health Committee. Indeed, I recall many lengthy discussions in the previous mandate during which, although the broader good intent of the Act was noted, some genuine warnings and concerns were raised about what would happen if the necessary steps and measures, such as number plate recognition equipment, were not in place. I am sure that all in the House agree that a free-for-all, open-to-abuse system was never an option. As we know, due to various key reasons, including the threat of legal action, which has only just been removed, even if we were all in agreement, the current infrastructure simply is not there to roll out the previous legislation as intended by 12 May this year. As such, the Bill is necessary, although it may be difficult. The Minister's decision to seek a deferral of the existing legislation for up to two years is sensible and pragmatic. His decision will avoid the cliff edge scenario where, one day, parking is controlled and, the next day, it is a literal free-for-all, with all the associated chaos and disruption that would be quickly witnessed in several of our main hospital car parks. Whilst I appreciate that some people will be genuinely disappointed at the temporary delay, we need to consider the alternative, which is staff being unable to park their car anywhere; patients missing appointments; and, perhaps most worrying of all, some of our hospital sites becoming so congested that key vehicle routes, especially blue-light routes, become blocked, which could mean life or death for a patient in an ambulance. The scheme was introduced some years ago in Scotland and Wales, and an official at the Committee briefing last week said that, in conversation, colleagues in Scotland had said that they were reasonably happy with the way in which the system was working and that they had overcome many of the initial teething problems. However, it should be noted that some of the hospitals in Scotland and Wales have been deploying the system for over 12 years. No legislation, no matter how well meaning, should act as a barrier to people receiving emergency access to hospitals when they need it. I applaud the Minister, however, for using what levers he had. Whilst the removal of all charges will be deferred under the new Bill, importantly, staff car parking permits will be provided free of charge across the two years for eligible staff. The Minister also referred to the budgetary implications of the scheme, and the two-year delay will also allow some time for the development of a sustainable funding plan. That, hopefully, may not require the full two years to implement universally. Whilst there is disappointment at the delay, we can all agree — I am sure that Mr McGrath will also agree — that it is much better to have a system that works without any unintended consequences. The Ulster Unionist Party welcomes and fully supports the Bill. In conclusion, I will say that my colleague Mrs Dodds may wish to reflect on the possibility that the two-year suspension of the House, when there was no Minister in place, may well have contributed in some way to the delay.

541 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 09:58 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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