26 March 2026
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA has said the Minister must have new school bus safety laws in place by the end of the current Assembly mandate.
He was speaking after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins announced a public consultation on safer journeys to school.
The SDLP Opposition has been working with campaigners to call for legislation to stop cars overtaking a stopped school bus.
Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said:
“The need for increased school bus safety, particularly when buses are picking up or dropping off children, has been brought into sharp focus by a number of tragic incidents in recent years. The SDLP has met with bereaved parents and heard first-hand the devastating impact this has had on them and their families.
“We have seen in other countries that legislation banning cars from overtaking stopped buses has been effective alongside a range of other safety measures. It’s welcome that the Minister has now progressed this to the public consultation stage and it’s important that people have their say and send a clear message that this change is needed.
“It’s imperative that this consultation is progressed quickly and that legislation is brought forward and passed by the Assembly before the end of this mandate. Too often we see important measures delayed by a sluggish Executive and bureaucracy, but this is a common-sense, deliverable intervention that commands widespread support.
“We have reached this stage because of the tireless efforts of campaigners who have shown incredible strength in using their own loss as a catalyst for change. The SDLP will continue to support them and press the Minister and Executive to ensure this law is in place before the next Assembly election.”