Debate contribution: Budget 2025-26

Debate contribution by Mr Peter McReynolds on 19 May 2025.

MLA

Mr Peter McReynolds

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

19 May 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Budget 2025-26

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4968692

Read the official Assembly record

Text

As infrastructure spokesperson for the Alliance Party, I rise to support the Budget and to highlight the reasons why infrastructure is so strategically important for many of our ambitions as an Assembly. Since restoration last year, my role has given me the opportunity to speak with engineers, builders, planners and developers, and it has shown me just how significant a role the Department for Infrastructure plays in all our lives each and every day. A successful, thriving economy, cohesive communities and healthy and happy people are all underpinned by foundations that are fit for purpose, and, if we can get the basics right in planning, water and transport, we can achieve more for Northern Ireland and the people who elect us to this place. I have said this before, but, in my opinion, the Infrastructure Department does not get the respect or consistent funding that it deserves, with short-term politics leading to costly delays in the short term and long term. Years of instability and collapse have also made things worse over the past number of years. That is why we must work collectively as an Assembly to introduce multi-year Budgets and establish an independent, expert-led infrastructure commission to protect and direct investment in major capital projects under the guidance of engineering experts. The decisions made by the Infrastructure Minister are fundamental to the majority of aims listed in the Programme for Government. Water, transport and planning are key to building homes, protecting the environment and economic growth. Passing the Budget will give stability and clarity to our public services, but all Departments will be required to operate in a difficult financial landscape in the year ahead, as we have heard so many times today. The Department for Infrastructure is no exception, and I recognise that, whilst DFI's resource and capital budgets have increased by 13·9% and 12% respectively compared with last year, there are still significant challenges for the adequate baseline funding of Northern Ireland Water, Translink and other departmental functions. The financial challenge for Northern Ireland Water is well rehearsed in the Chamber and in the Infrastructure Committee. The appointment of forensic accountants to investigate resource overspend was a scenario mentioned back in February when Northern Ireland Water informed the Infrastructure Committee that there was not enough money to keep the business running in 2024-25. Whilst I agree with the Minister's remedial actions, the budget allocated to Northern Ireland Water was not adequate to begin with. We face a potentially worse picture next year, when resource and capital costs are due to rise significantly. Compared with an assessed capital need of £549 million, indicative allocations show that Northern Ireland Water will be underfunded in the next financial year well beyond the £3 million overspend that triggered that forensic accounting intervention. Ensuring that Northern Ireland Water has sufficient baseline funding to enable the continuation of water and waste water services is one of the Assembly's highest priorities. Without decisive action from the Minister for Infrastructure on a way forward that can plug the gap between what DFI can allocate and what Northern Ireland Water needs, the threat to our environment, to public health and to our economy will remain. I will now turn to the funding of Translink. Public transport will play a key role in the realisation of net zero emissions by 2050, especially as surface transport is our second-largest emitting sector. Translink has similar concerns that running out of money may be a risk, especially given the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions. I have heard first-hand that there is a strong chance that plans for a night-time bus service in Belfast will not come to fruition because of a funding shortfall. The Budget document itself states that the capital budget outcome will not facilitate the high level of investment that the Department initially identified, which will result in delays on progress being made with some key schemes. A similar level of investment in active travel is necessary, yet we have seen the glacial delivery of the Belfast cycle network. Thankfully, delivery is picking up speed. I have been fortunate to call down to consultations on schemes in East Belfast. We need to pick up the pace, however. There are arterial routes in and out of the city centre that do not have a viable cycle alternative that is safe for cyclists to use. Additionally, the cycle lanes that we have are not protected, thus endangering the safety of those who choose to cycle. Safe and accessible active travel infrastructure is vital in order to ensure a clean, sustainable transport system that works for everyone. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, possibly for the first time in the Chamber, "Is there a point to any of what I have just said? I think that there is". Today's Budget is a step forward, but it is not enough. Infrastructure also needs political stability from us all — it is not just about money — multi-annual budgets and informed decision-making. Only then will we see better connectivity, health and environmental protections in the future.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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