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 will meet again on Wednesday 1 July 2026 at 9.30am in Room 30 Parliament Buildings.
The Committee will take evidence from Queen’s University Belfast on budget pressures and possible loss of student places.
The Committee will also hear from Invest NI in respect of the Cantor Fitzgerald and Boston Golden Bridges event decisions.
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 has been seeking views from stakeholders on the objectives, proposals and potential consequences of the Bill and welcomed your views and comments on its contents.
The deadline for completing the survey was noon 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 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.
Regional Balance Bill
The Regional Balance Bill was introduced to the Assembly on Monday 8 June 2026. The Second Stage of the Bill is expected to follow in September 2026.
You can read about the Bill by clicking here.
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.
The Committee’s decision in this regard should not be interpreted as either endorsement or opposition to the Regional Balance Bill.
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: Industrial Training Levy (Construction Industry) Order (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 associated survey closed on 17 June 2026.
The Committee for the Economy has been asked to consider the following proposed Statutory Rule and associated documents: The Education (Student Support) (Amendment No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.
To assist the Committee with its work, it is seeking views on whether the information provided by the Department is accurate, complete, and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences.
The associated survey closed on 19 June 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
