FOI 31-26: A request for information regarding use by MLAs of the electric vehicle charging points at Parliament Buildings

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

Our ref: FOI 31-26
10 July 2026

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 3 June 2026 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Your request is set out in full at Appendix A.

Our response

The Assembly Commission holds some information in relation to your request.

(1)  The names of all MLAs who have used the free EV charging points from 1 January 2025 to present.

The Assembly Commission does not hold information relating to bookings prior to 25 November 2025.

The names of MLAs who used the free EV charging points from 25 November 2025 to 3 June 2026 are Robbie Butler MLA, Pam Cameron MLA, Trevor Clarke MLA and David Honeyford MLA.

(2)  The number of charging sessions attributed to each MLA during this period.

The number of charging sessions attributed to each MLA from 25 November 2025 to 3 June 2026, are set out below:

Records of whether a booking was fulfilled were not maintained consistently; while in some instances it was recorded that a charging card was collected, this was not done in all cases, and the Assembly Commission does not hold information on whether chargers were operational, utilised or the duration of any use.

(3)  The estimated electricity cost associated with MLA usage of the charging points during this period.

The EV charging infrastructure is not metered, and electricity consumption is not separately recorded from the wider building supply; usage is therefore included within the overall electricity costs for Parliament Buildings.  As such, this information is not held.

(4)  Details of any policy, guidance or rules governing MLA use of the charging facilities.

The Assembly Commission does not hold formal policies, guidance documents, or internal memoranda specifically governing MLA or staff use of EV charging points. The provision of EV charging was an operational arrangement, introduced in line with the former OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles) scheme, and no formal eligibility criteria or standalone policy documentation was developed.

The use of the EV charging points was suspended on 5 June 2026, pending the introduction of a new paid-for, cost-recovery model.

(5)  Confirmation as to whether MLAs using the free charging points are still entitled to claim the full Assembly travel allowance.’

All MLAs remain entitled to the Assembly Travel Allowance (ATA) under the Assembly Members (Office and Staffing Costs and Allowances) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2025 when the relevant criteria are met, this includes if they charge their electric vehicles at the EV charging points.

Further Information

You may 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

Appendix A: your request

‘Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following information regarding the free electric vehicle charging points at Parliament Buildings, Stormont:

1.The names of all MLAs who have used the free EV charging points from 1 January 2025 to present.

2.The number of charging sessions attributed to each MLA during this period.

3.The estimated electricity cost associated with MLA usage of the charging points during this period.

4.Details of any policy, guidance or rules governing MLA use of the charging facilities.

5.Confirmation as to whether MLAs using the free charging points are still entitled to claim the full Assembly travel allowance.’