Debate contribution: Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2

Debate contribution by Mr Matthew O'Toole on 3 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Matthew O'Toole
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 3 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Belfast Rapid Transport Phase 2
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5434716

Text

Minister, I appreciate your positive tone, but the truth is that, in response to a question for written answer, you told me that it would be 2033 before the Glider phase 2 would be delivered. That is at least six years later than the public expected it. People on the Antrim Road in north Belfast and, particularly, in my case, people on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast expected the project to be transformational, but it is ultimately just a bendy bus. Minister, you talked about funding challenges, but the spring Supplementary Estimates this year reveal that you handed back £5 million that was supposed to be dedicated to Glider. Can the public in south and north Belfast have any confidence that the scheme will ever be delivered?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3215/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification