Committee for the Economy: 2022 - 2027 Mandate
2026 Research Papers
Below you will find details of Research Publications which have been prepared by the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe) for the Committee for the Economy in 2026.
Review of Costs: Regional Balance Bill
- Date: 16/10/2026
Seeking to support Northern Ireland Assembly scrutiny, this Review of Costs addresses key potential “public purse” implications arising from the Regional Balance Bill, if enacted and implemented as introduced. The Bill seeks to establish a statutory framework requiring the Northern Ireland Executive to develop, implement and maintain a Regional Balance Strategic Framework aiming to reduce regional economic disparities and inequalities in living standards across Northern Ireland. The Paper should be read alongside RaISe Bill Paper NIAR 143-2026 (dated 16 October 2026), which addresses policy considerations arising from the Bill.
Regional Balance Bill
- Date: 16/10/2026
This Paper aims to support Northern Ireland Assembly scrutiny of the Regional Balance Bill, as introduced by a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) on 8 June 2026. It provides context-setting information, before addressing key policy considerations arising from the introduced Bill. Throughout, potential scrutiny points are highlighted for Assembly reference, including that of the Committee for the Economy. The Paper should be read alongside RaISe Briefing Paper NIAR 137-2026 (dated 16 October 2026), wherein the Bill’s key potential “public purse” considerations are addressed.
Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill: key considerations
- Date: 29/04/2026
This Bill Paper aims to support Northern Ireland Assembly scrutiny of the Utility Regulator (Support for Decarbonisation Preparation) Bill – as introduced into the Assembly by the Minister for the Economy on 20 April 2026. The Paper outlines essential context-setting information, along with key policy and “public purse” considerations, if the Bill is enacted as introduced.
Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill: Key Considerations
- Date: 21/04/2026
This Bill Paper aims to support Northern Ireland Assembly scrutiny of the Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill – as introduced into the Assembly by the Minister for the Economy on 13 April 2026. The Paper outlines essential context-setting information, along with key policy and “public purse” considerations, if the Bill is enacted as introduced.
RHI (Closure of the Non Domestic Scheme) Bill: supplementary – overview of the Republic of Ireland’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat
- Date: 30/01/2026
This Briefing Note seeks to support the Committee for the Economy’s scrutiny of the Renewable Heat Incentive (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill. It provides an overview of the Republic of Ireland’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and compares that Scheme’s inspection regime with what currently is known about the RHI Closure inspection regime that subsequently would be introduced in Northern Ireland via draft Affirmative Regulations if the Bill is enacted as introduced.
