Committee for the Economy
Committee Members pictured in Parliament Buildings.
From left to right: Pádraig Delargy MLA, Gary Middleton MLA (Deputy Chairperson), Diana Armstrong MLA, Phillip Brett MLA (Chairperson), Kate Nicholl MLA and Emma Sheerin MLA
Latest News
The Committee is to attend the Balmoral show on 13 May 2026 – Members will undertake an informal evidence-taking event on the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill.
The Committee’s next scheduled meeting is on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 10:00am in Room 30, Parliament Buildings.
The Committee will hear from the Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser on the AI Strategy for the NI public sector.
The Committee will receive evidence from the Department on the Local Innovation Partnership Fund.
Committee Membership
The current Committee membership is:
- Mr Phillip Brett MLA, DUP (Chairperson)
- Ms Diane Forsythe MLA, DUP (Deputy Chairperson)
- Ms Diana Armstrong MLA, UUP
- Mr Jonathan Buckley MLA, DUP
- Mr Pádraig Delargy MLA, Sinn Féin
- Mr David Honeyford MLA, Alliance
- Mr Declan Kearney MLA, Sinn Féin
- Ms Sinéad McLaughlin MLA, SDLP
- 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 is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and would welcome your views and comments on its contents. Please click here to have your say by completing the online survey.
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 is seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and would welcome your views and comments on its contents. Please click here to have your say by completing the online survey.
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 Education (Student Support and Repayment) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
To assist the Committee with its work, 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 deadline was submission is 29/04/2026.
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
