Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 2 April 2026
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings - 2 April 2026.pdf (174.19 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
Eóin Tennyson MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Steve Aiken MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Pádraig Delargy MLA
Stephen Dunne MLA [1]
Peter Martin MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
In Attendance:
Marie Austin, Clerk
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Sean McCann, Assistant Clerk
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
Shelley Garner, Clerical Officer
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Lisa Chestnutt, Clerical Supervisor
The meeting commenced at 10.01am in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Directive (EU) 2026/706 amending Directive 2014/32/EU as regards measuring systems for electric vehicle supply equipment and compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters - Legal Advice
Caroline Byers, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.02am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following published replacement EU act:
Directive (EU) 2026/706 amending Directive 2014/32/EU as regards measuring systems for electric vehicle supply equipment and compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the published replacement act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
Steve Aiken joined the meeting at 10.05am.
Kate Nicholl joined the meeting at 10.07am.
A question and answer session followed.
Eóin Tennyson joined the meeting at 10.10am.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the published replacement EU act would take place in public session.
The Legal Adviser left the meeting at 10.12.am.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.13am.
4. Minutes
The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2026, which it previously agreed would be approved by the Chairperson.
5. Matters Arising
None.
Agreed: The Committee agreed bring forward Agenda Items 7 and 8.
6. Committee Work Planning
The Committee noted an update on all the proposed EU acts which it is monitoring and gathering evidence on, and on others which had been notified.
7. Correspondence
7.1 The Committee noted a UK Government (UKG) Explanatory Memorandum on COM/2025/993 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 561/2006, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/2144 and (EU) 2024/1257 as regards the simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 70/157/EEC and Regulation No 540/2014.
7.2 The Committee noted a UKG Explanatory Memorandum on COM/2025/1023 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I.
7.3 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2024/577 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
7.4 The Committee considered a response from UKG regarding Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the response.
7.5 The Committee considered correspondence from the House of Lords European Affairs Committee regarding its Inquiry into dynamic alignment.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members should refer this correspondence to their respective parties who may wish to respond.
7.6 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) regarding the HSE’s Chemicals Legislative Reforms consultation response, and Regulation (EU) 2025/2439 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/2865 as regards dates of application and transitional provisions.
7.7 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/553 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards the school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme (‘EU school scheme’), sectoral interventions, the creation of a protein sector, requirements for hemp, the possibility for marketing standards for cheese, protein crops and meat, application of additional import duties, rules on the availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis and securities.
7.8 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/747 Proposal for a Regulation on monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005.
7.9 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence between the NISC and UKG on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
7.10 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Commission Directive (EU) 2026/192 amending Appendix A of Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt.
7.11 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding an update on the Government’s progress in establishing the One Stop Shop: Business Engagement and Implementation Framework.
7.12 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/780 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries.
7.13 The Committee considered a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share its Inquiry report on Regulation (EU) 2026/405 with the NISC.
7.14 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1920 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/745, as regards the assignment of Unique Device Identifiers for spectacle frames, spectacle lenses and ready-to-wear reading spectacles.
7.15 The Committee noted correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding its follow-up Inquiry on Strengthening Northern Ireland’s Voice in the context of the Windsor Framework.
8. Directive (EU) 2026/706 amending Directive 2014/32/EU as regards measuring systems for electric vehicle supply equipment and compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters - Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of Directive (EU) 2026/706 amending Directive 2014/32/EU as regards measuring systems for electric vehicle supply equipment and compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact and written answers provided by the Department for the Economy, and an Explanatory Memorandum from UKG on the published replacement EU act.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.19am:
- Damien Doherty, Chief Inspector, Trading Standards Service, Department for the Economy
- Mark McGregor, Head of Trade, Windsor Framework, Department for the Economy
The officials gave oral evidence on the published replacement EU act.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials left the meeting at 10.47am.
The Committee noted that, in order to meet its statutory requirements, it must decide whether or not to hold an inquiry into the published replacement EU act.
The Committee had regard to:
(i) the legal advice on whether it appears likely that the replacement act significantly differs (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU instrument which it amends or replaces, and
(ii) the departmental assessment on whether it appears likely that the replacement act would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.
Steve Aiken MLA proposed that the Committee hold an inquiry into Directive (EU) 2026/706.
Eóin Tennyson MLA proposed that the Committee should not hold an inquiry into Directive (EU) 2026/706.
The Chairperson put the question on Steve Aiken MLA's proposal.
The Committee divided: Ayes 4; Noes 4; Abstain 0.
Ayes
Steve Aiken MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Stephen Dunne MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Noes
Pádraig Delargy MLA
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
The votes in the division were equal. Therefore, the proposal was not carried.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to hold an inquiry into the published replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
As the proposal was not carried, the Chairperson did not put the question on Eóin Tennyson's proposal.
The Committee noted that its decision will be published.
9. Chairperson’s Business
9.1 The Chairperson informed the Committee that it has been allocated a slot at the Balmoral Show on Wednesday 13 May and, as previously agreed, Secretariat staff will attend to showcase the work of the Committee and Members will attend, if available, on an informal basis.
9.2 A Senior Assistant Clerk briefed the Committee on a proposed update to the agreed templates for departmental assessments of impact.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to include departmental engagement with stakeholders in the templates for assessments of impact.
9.3 A Senior Assistant Clerk briefed the Committee on a travel proposal for the Committee’s visit to Westminster.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the travel proposal.
10. Any Other Business
None.
11. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 16 April 2026 at 10am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.56am.
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
16 April 2026
[1] David Brooks MLA appointed Stephen Dunne MLA as a substitute Member for this meeting.
