Marshalled List of Amendments

Monday 16 February 2026

Item 5 - Order Paper 151/22-27 – Monday 16 February 2026

Motion: Tackling the Rise in Dangerous Potholes on our Roads Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses concern at the increase in dangerous potholes following Storm Chandra and worsening winter surface conditions on our roads; is concerned with the increasing risk this poses to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians; believes the continued deterioration of the public road network has now reached a crisis point; notes with alarm that in 2025 an estimated 127,109 surface defects were recorded across Northern Ireland, including 97,897 potholes; condemns the long-standing and short-sighted Department for Infrastructure policy of only repairing the highest priority defects and, even then, doing only the minimum work necessary to remove any immediate safety risk; further believes the Minister for Infrastructure has failed to address the roads crisis; expresses disappointment that the new draft Road Maintenance Strategy lacks clear prioritisation and detailed, costed and time-bound actions to deliver measurable improvements; and, following the closure of the public consultation on the new draft Strategy, calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to urgently bring forward an updated Roads Maintenance Strategy and detailed action plan that addresses these concerns.

Mr Stephen Dunne

Mr Peter Martin

Amendment

Leave out all after ‘including 97,897 potholes;’ and insert:

‘welcomes the Minister for Infrastructure’s new draft Road Maintenance Strategy which sets out a clear vision for how roads will be managed and maintained over the coming years with increased use of technology; commends both the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Infrastructure for securing an additional £7.85 million towards targeted road maintenance in response to Storm Chandra, in addition to the £30 million allocated in December 2025; supports efforts to improving the state of our roads; and calls on the Minister for Infrastructure to bring forward the Road Maintenance Strategy and associated action plan, following the closure of the consultation on the draft Strategy.

Mr Cathal Boylan

Mr Maolíosa McHugh

Mrs Sinéad Ennis

Mr Philip McGuigan