Committee Welcomes a Comprehensive Report on Energy in Northern Ireland

Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee have welcomed the launch of the independent report Energising Northern Ireland by Lord Whitty.

The report, commissioned by the Northern Ireland Consumer Council, looks at improving energy in Northern Ireland.

Committee Chairperson Alban Maginness, MLA said “In his findings, Lord Whitty criticises Government for the ‘lack of one single statement of energy policy covering all the [energy] objectives’, saying this makes policy making ‘complex and piecemeal’.  Lord Whitty also says this is compounded by the number of government Departments and agencies involved.

“In 2011 the previous Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee conducted an inquiry into Renewable Energy and recommended that there should be one government Department with responsibility for energy matters. Lord Whitty’s Report has made the very same recommendation.

“It is very evident that the Executive must provide clear leadership and make energy policy issues a separate and distinct Government priority.”

The Committee is considering hearing from the Consumer Council on the findings and recommendations of the Report at a future meeting.