FOI 18-26: A request for information in relation to Electric Vehicle charging points operated at the NI Assembly
Information Standards Freedom of Information Response
Our ref: FoI 18-26
24 April 2026
Freedom of Information Act 2000
I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 23 March 2026 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). In your request, you asked:
‘Under the Freedom of Information Act, I wish to request details in relation to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points operated at the NI Assembly (NIA).
Your website says there are two EV charging points in the lower east car park (i.e. the car park used by visitors and members of the public) beside Parliament Buildings (PB): https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/visit-and-learning/planning-your-visit/electric-charging-points/
However, I understand there are also EV charging points located immediately behind PB, in the car parking area available for MLAs and NIA staff.
I understand the NIA / Assembly Commission (AC) operates a booking system for use of these EV charging points behind PB.
So therefore please disclose the following:
1. The number of EV charging points at the NIA.
2. For each EV charging point, please disclose:
a) their location (e.g. behind PB, in the lower east car part, etc);
b) who is permitted to use the charging point (e.g. NIA staff, MLAs, AC staff, etc); and
c) whether the EV charging point is available for free to the motorist, or requires them to pay.
3. The cost to NIA / AC of providing EV charging for free to motorists in each of the years 2024/25 and 2025/26 so far.
4. In relation to the booking system please disclose:
a) The number and duration of the booking slots available per day for charging an EV.
b) For the financial year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the number of booking slots used by MLAs.
c) For the financial year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, the names of the MLAs who booked to use these EV charging points, and the number of slots they each booked.’
Our response
The Assembly Commission holds information in relation to your request.
1. There are 6 car charging points located at Parliament Buildings. The tariffs and collection of costs for the 2 car charging points in the Lower East Car Park are the responsibility of the Department of Finance (DoF). These spaces are open to the public and there is no booking system in place or limitations as to use. In line with other publicly available charging points, DoF administer the tariffs and collections of costs.
2. (a) The 6 car charging points are located in the upper car park behind Parliament Buildings.
(b) All building users that drive a hybrid or electric vehicle are permitted to use the charging points, this includes Assembly Commission staff, Members and Party Support Staff.
(c) Booking of spaces at Parliament Buildings is limited as per point 4 below. The charging points are free of charge to users.
3. We do not hold metered data from the EV chargers to confirm the total cost.
4. (a) In relation to the charging points, at Parliament Buildings, users can book parking at an EV charging point on different days with varying availability:-
Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: 6 spaces available for all-day parking.
Wednesday and Thursday: 12 spaces available, divided into 2 time slots:
Morning: up to 1:15 PM
Afternoon: from 1:30 PM onwards
On non-sitting days 12 spaces are available, divided into the same 2 time slots as above.
(b) Information on slot bookings for 2024-2025 is not retained.
(c) Information on slot bookings for MLAs for 2024-2025 is not retained.
Further Information
You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission. If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address. If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised.
Yours sincerely
INFORMATION STANDARDS
