Committee for the Economy
Committee Members pictured in Parliament Buildings.
From left to right: Pádraig Delargy MLA, Gary Middleton MLA, Diana Armstrong MLA, Phillip Brett MLA (Chairperson), Kate Nicholl MLA and Emma Sheerin MLA
Latest News
The Committee is scheduled to meet again on Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 10am in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Newtownabbey.
The Committee will consider evidence from the Department on the Higher Education funding model.
The Committee will also hear from Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and the Open University in respect of the Higher Education funding model and budget constraints and their impact on student places and course offers.
The Committee will consider its report on the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill and the Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Westminster Sporting Events Bill.
Committee Membership
The current Committee membership is:
- Mr Phillip Brett MLA, DUP (Chairperson)
- Ms Diane Forsythe MLA, DUP (Deputy Chairperson)
- Mr Pádraig Delargy MLA, Sinn Féin
- Mr David Honeyford MLA, Alliance
- Mr Declan Kearney MLA, Sinn Féin
- Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA, SDLP
- Mr Peter Martin MLA, DUP
- Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA, UUP
- Ms Kate Nicholl MLA, Alliance
Current Primary Legislation Scrutiny
Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill
You can read more about the Bill by clicking here.
As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee sought views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill.
The survey closed on 24 June 2026.
Current Primary Legislation Scrutiny
Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill
You can read more about the Bill by clicking here.
As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee sought views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill.
The survey closed on 1 July 2026.
Regional Balance Bill
You can read about the Bill by clicking here.
As part of the Committee Stage, the Committee sought views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill.
The Committee launched its call for evidence, inviting you to have your say on the Bill's contents on 24 June 2026 and the survey closed on 22 September 2026.
As part of the Assembly’s legislative processes, the Committee will now consider and take evidence on the Bill and report its opinion to the Assembly.
Renewable Electricity Generation Bill
The Renewable Electricity Generation Bill was introduced to the Assembly by the Minister for the Economy on Tuesday 30 June 2026. Once the Bill has completed its Second Stage, the Committee Stage will commence immediately thereafter.
Ordinarily the Committee would await the successful passage of the Bill at Second Stage prior to launching a call for evidence. However, owing to the constrained timescales and a heavy legislative scrutiny agenda, the Committee for the Economy has agreed to undertake the unusual step of launching its call for evidence on the Bill now and prior to Second Stage.
You can read more about the Bill by clicking here.
Please click here to have your say by completing the online survey. The deadline for completing the survey is 21 October 2026.
Delegated Legislation Currently Being Considered by the Committee
To find out more about delegated legislation considered by the Committee, please click here
The Committee for the Economy has been asked to consider the following proposed Statutory Rule and associated documents: The Employer’s Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.
To assist the Committee with its work, it is seeking your views on whether the information provided by the Department is accurate, complete, and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences. Please submit your views by completing the associated survey. The survey will close on 7 October 2026.
The Committee for the Economy has been asked to consider the following proposed Statutory Rule and associated documents: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.
To assist the Committee with its work, it sought views on whether the information provided by the Department is accurate, complete, and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences.
The survey closed on 16 September 2026.
Contact the Committee
Committee Clerk: Peter McCallion
Room 349, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw,Stormont,
Belfast, BT4 3XX
Tel: (028) 905 21821
Email: Committee.Economy@niassembly.gov.uk
