Some MLAs at the Northern Ireland Assembly have been using free electric vehicle charging points while also claiming travel allowances, a practice that several political parties now say should be reimbursed.

The six charging points are located in an upper car park behind Parliament Buildings and are available to MLAs, party support staff and assembly employees under a booking system. MLAs are separately entitled to claim travel allowances to attend Stormont, which can reach thousands of pounds annually depending on distance.

Timothy Gaston, a TUV MLA, said the arrangement could mean the public is “effectively paying twice” for MLAs to travel to the Assembly.

Robbie Butler, an Ulster Unionist MLA for Lagan Valley who chairs the agriculture committee, confirmed occasional use of the chargers. In the period April to December 2025 he claimed £1,357.47 in travel allowance, and £1,749.96 in the 2024-25 financial year. His salary as a committee chair is £79,200.

The DUP confirmed that three of its MLAs used the charging points, with Pam Cameron and Trevor Clarke understood to be among them. Party leader Gavin Robinson has asked those MLAs to arrange reimbursement with the assembly authorities. The party also said Parliament Buildings should operate on a pay-to-charge basis and that no DUP MLAs will use the facility until it becomes paid.

Alliance MLA David Honeyford, who also represents Lagan Valley, was also identified as a user. His travel allowance claims match those of Butler. The Alliance Party said it will propose a charge for EV use and that any Alliance representative who has used the points will cover the cost. Honeyford had previously noted that public EV charging is more expensive than home charging.

Sinn Féin said none of its MLAs use the points. The SDLP said none of its MLAs drive electric vehicles and that no party staff can access the charging area.

Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said any party member who used the free chargers should contact the assembly finance department to arrange reimbursement. Butler said he had ceased using the facility and would engage with authorities on repaying any benefit deemed appropriate.

An assembly spokesperson said the initial chargers were installed in 2015 to promote electric vehicle uptake and lacked payment technology. Two additional units in 2018 and two in 2024 were installed on the same free-to-use basis. The assembly does not hold metered data from the chargers but retains booking records on a short-term basis. One week of bookings in mid-May cost an estimated £325.

The Speaker has asked officials to bring forward proposals for the Assembly Commission’s next meeting, including options to introduce usage charges.