Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
The Committee pictured shortly before the start of a meeting in room 30, Parliament Buildings.
From left to right: Declan Kearney MLA, Patrick Brown MLA, Emma Sheerin MLA, Philip McGuigan MLA (Chairperson), David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson), Joanne Bunting MLA, Jonathan Buckley MLA, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, Sorcha Eastwood MLA
About the Committee
The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee (DSC) is a standing committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly established under The Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2024 (PDF, 8 pages, 59KB).
The Committee’s purpose is to assist with the observation and implementation of Article 13(3a) and (4) of the Windsor Framework. The Committee’s functions include:
- examining and considering new EU acts and replacement EU acts;
- conducting inquiries and publishing reports in relation to replacement EU acts;
- engaging with businesses, civil society and others in relation to replacement EU acts;
- engaging with the UK Government in relation to replacement EU acts;
- engaging with Ministers of Northern Ireland departments and the NI Executive in relation to replacement EU acts;
- dealing with other matters (including legislative proposals which may become new EU acts or replacement EU acts) which the Committee considers to be connected with its purpose or other functions.
Latest News
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 16 May at 10.00 am in Room 30 when it will receive legal advice and hear evidence from departmental officials on:
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on type-approval of motor vehicles and engines and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7); and,
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.
The Committee will then decide whether or not to conduct inquiries into the EU acts.
As part of ongoing inquiries, the Committee will hear further evidence from departmental officials on Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste, and consider survey responses in respect of Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on geographical indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, as well as traditional specialities guaranteed and optional quality terms for agricultural products.
Committee Membership
The current Committee membership is:
- Mr Philip McGuigan MLA, Sinn Féin (Chairperson)
- Mr David Brooks MLA, DUP (Deputy Chairperson)
- Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, UUP
- Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA, DUP
- Ms Joanne Bunting MLA, DUP
- Mr Declan Kearney MLA, Sinn Féin
- Ms Emma Sheerin MLA, Sinn Féin
- Mr Eóin Tennyson MLA, Alliance
EU Acts notified to the Committee
EU Acts (not notified) under review
View details of EU acts that have not yet been notified to the Committee but are under review.
Inquiries - Have your say
The Committee may decide to hold inquiries on EU Acts which it is scrutinising. As part of the normal inquiry process the Committee may ask for input from key representatives of businesses and civil society. This is your chance to have your opinion heard.
You can see a list of any consultations that are currently running on our Inquiries page.
Contact the Committee
Clerk to the Committee: Marie Austin
Room 371, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw, Stormont,
Belfast, BT4 3XX
Tel: (028) 9052 0302
Email: WindsorFramework.Committee@niassembly.gov.uk
