Caoimhe Archibald
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026.”
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“The Chair had correspondence from the permanent secretary offering to meet to discuss any issues, and, hopefully, the offer will be taken up so that we can ensure that those issues are resolved. <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have not missed any of the points that were made. I am conscious that people in the Public Gallery are more anxious to hear another debate. I will begin to wrap up. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to the debate on the Utility Regulator Bill. I ask Members to agree the Bill's Second Stage so that it can be referred to the Economy Committee.”
“Therefore, if other Departments have asks that sit outwith that, a conversation will need to be had about where the resourcing will come from and the funding to support it. <BR /> <BR />Those are some of the issues that we have had to strike a balance on in the drafting of the Bill, and I am assured that the Committee will fully scrutinise all elements of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on a point that was made by Mr Honeyford about the advice and information that comes to the Committee. It is not acceptable to me that the Committee feels that it is not getting the information that it needs, but I am also clear that none of my officials goes to the Committee to be unhelpful. If there is a difference between expectation and what the Committee is getting, we need to ensure that the gap is bridged.”
“As the Utility Regulator is independent of the Department, the Department cannot instruct it on what it should do or the advice that it should provide. The reasonableness is to ensure that, if the regulator is asked to do something that goes beyond what it is resourced to do, it is in a position to make that point. <BR /> <BR />We often need to speak to the issue of resourcing, and points were made about other Departments asking the Utility Regulator to provide advice. The current functions that are set out in the Bill are intended to be resourced through the electricity and gas licence fees, and it can be used only to resource work associated with the Bill that aligns with the statutory electricity and gas functions.”
“At this point, it is a case of giving the Utility Regulator the power to advise and help the Department on the way forward, and, at a later date, we will work with it to develop the additional powers that it also requires. We will continue to do that work. We will work with Utility Regulator on those future powers. <BR /> <BR />Some comments were made about the wording of the legislation. Members asked why it says "may provide advice" and why it talks about "any reasonable request" from the Department. Diana made comments about ensuring that the Utility Regulator maintains its independence while ensuring that a level of governance is in place; that is the balance that we are trying to strike.”
“By fully empowering the Utility Regulator in the net zero conversation with my Department, my officials can work to design low-carbon energy environments that unlock economic and decarbonisation opportunities. <BR /> <BR />I will talk to some of the points raised by Members in the debate. Similar comments were made across the Chamber about the scope of the Bill. It is a case of ensuring that the Utility Regulator is in a position to advise the Department on the different elements that will be required to meet our targets, the areas of policy that it will have a role in and what additional powers may be needed at a future date to help it to deliver.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />First, I thank Members for their consideration. I am encouraged by the support that has been expressed for the Bill in the Chamber today. I acknowledge the other comments that were made, and I will come on to those in a little bit. That reflects the importance of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />As I outlined when I opened the debate, the Bill will allow the Department to access technical advice that only the Utility Regulator has the information and expertise to provide. It will complement in-house analytical and policy expertise, enabling the development of the proposals, policies, strategies and plans needed to support the Department in delivering the Climate Change Act and energy strategy objectives.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill is an important step in creating a pathway to decarbonise the energy sector and highlights my Department's commitment to meet the challenge of climate change. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“That allows for occasions when the regulator may be unable to meet a request from the Department, reflecting the importance of its remaining independent from government but a strategic adviser to government. Access to its technical insight and regulatory advice will allow officials in my Department to design energy policies that will create an environment in which new low-carbon energy solutions can flourish and to develop legislation that will provide the necessary conditions for inward investment and innovation. <BR /> <BR />My Department held a consultation on the draft Bill, which received 50 responses. Overall, 76% of respondents expressed support for the intent of the Bill, recognising the importance of the regulator in supporting us on our journey.”
“developing proposals, policies, strategies or plans relating to the energy sector to support obligations under the Climate Change Act. It also includes a requirement:”
“<BR /> <BR />The Utility Regulator is restricted in its ability to support us because its legislative underpinning has not been updated to reflect the significant change in policy direction that is required to deliver on the Climate Change Act and the Executive's energy strategy. The Bill is the result of collaboration with the Utility Regulator and is designed to empower that organisation as a key delivery partner. The Bill is quite short and states:”
“We need to develop policies and legislation across a wide range of new and emerging technologies that will help us on our decarbonisation journey. Creating the conditions to allow new low-carbon technologies to flourish can support economic opportunity for business growth and job creation and help us to develop a self-sustaining and flexible energy system, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and freeing us from global energy shocks. To achieve that goal, we must work in partnership, across government, and it is essential that my Department has access to the technical expertise that the Utility Regulator (UR) can provide on that journey.”
“In 2022, the House agreed that we should work together to address the climate crisis. The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 includes requirements on my Department to develop sectoral action plans for the energy sector and industrial processes. It also set a target of ensuring that at least 80% of electricity consumption comes from renewal sources by 2030. <BR /> <BR />Over half of greenhouse gas emissions come from energy. It is therefore essential that we find ways of decarbonising the energy sector while creating the right conditions for growth in low-carbon and renewable solutions. Members will be aware that I intend to introduce legislation to deliver a support scheme to incentivise the growth of renewable solutions, but that is just one part of the solution.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“That will take time to deliver, but it is important that we have a clear position on it, and the Bill helps to underpin that. I am sure that all that will be debated at the Committee as well. <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have addressed most of the points that have been made. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to the debate on the Bill today. I look forward to it progressing through its next stages.”
“I thank the Member for his contribution. I know that he will play a full part in scrutinising the Bill once it gets to Committee Stage, which, going by the comments around the Chamber, seems likely. <BR /> <BR />My response to his question is that it sits in the same context of sending a strong signal about being a region that wants to invest in renewables and giving clarity and certainty around all of that. I take his point about the energy circumstances that we are in right now, but the fact remains that, if, in some different world, we found oil or gas here and explored for it, it would still be traded on the global markets and would still be subject to the volatility that we see in those commodity markets today. The direction of travel that we clearly want to pursue is greater self-sufficiency.”
“There has been an ability for nearly 62 years to grant licences, but commercially viable oil or gas has yet to be identified. Given the direction of travel on the transition to net zero, we want to invest in renewables. We want to send a signal to the markets that we want to have renewable investment here, and the Bill very much helps us to progress all of that.”
“Obviously, we have a tight time frame now, so everyone is working at pace to progress things as quickly as possible before the end of the mandate. <BR /> <BR />I note the comments of Diana and Áine about the impact in County Fermanagh, where licences were most recently applied for, and the concern of communities about all of that. One of the things that the Bill does is provide a level of clarity and certainty for those communities that we have a long-term position on this. <BR /> <BR />Mr Gaston set out clearly his objections. The reality is that we have climate obligations in legislation that we are obliged to deliver on. It has been clearly set out, through independent research, that economic benefit is unlikely to be delivered through exploration.”
“I know that Members recognise the ongoing work in that regard and that we continue to pursue that in order to ensure that we have more affordable and secure energy. I note Mr Brett's commitment, as Chair of the Economy Committee, to scrutinise the Bill fully while reflecting that there were 382 responses to the consultation, the vast majority of which were very supportive of the Bill. I believe that only one response supported outright the continuation of licensing, but the Committee will get into the detail of that. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad and David referred to the need for longer-term planning for energy security and stepping up the pace of transition. On the plans for the renewable electricity price guarantee scheme, a Bill is being drafted, and it remains the intention to get that introduced before summer recess.”
“I thank Members for their contributions. I am encouraged by the support from around the Chamber. I anticipate that, when the Bill goes to the Economy Committee, it will be fully scrutinised. I thank the members of the Economy Committee for their contributions to the debate. <BR /> <BR />As I set out in my opening remarks, the Bill is an important step in supporting our decarbonisation journey. It aligns with our legislative obligations, the energy strategy and the conclusions of independent research. Exploration for oil and gas would run contrary to those commitments and be unlikely to bring meaningful benefit to the local economy or to consumers. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on some points that Members raised in the debate. A number of Members spoke to the broader need for plans for energy security and affordability.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill is consistent with the Climate Change Act, the Executive's energy strategy and the evidence. Continuing to allow for petroleum licensing would create uncertainty for communities and send the wrong signal about the future direction of our energy system. The Bill removes that uncertainty and allows us to focus fully on building a clean, secure and sustainable energy future. I therefore commend the Bill to the Assembly.”
“There was also a strong and consistent message about priorities, which was that we should focus our efforts on renewables, not fossil fuel development. <BR /> <BR />Taken together, the evidence, the consultation outcomes and our legal obligations point consistently in the same direction. That is why, in December 2024, the Executive agreed a clear policy position, which was to have a temporary moratorium followed by legislation to put a permanent ban in place. The Bill gives effect to that decision. It removes the Department's power to issue petroleum licences; it removes the right to search and bore for and get petroleum under the 1964 Act; and it closes the door on all forms of onshore oil and gas exploration and production, including fracking.”
“Climate obligations have tightened, public expectations have shifted and the economic case for onshore petroleum in the region is not supported by the available evidence. In 2020, my Department began a full review of the existing licensing regime. Independent research was commissioned to assess the economic, social and environmental impacts. Its conclusions were clear: onshore petroleum exploration and extraction are unlikely to deliver significant economic benefits, would not enhance our energy security and would not reduce energy prices. Public views were equally clear. A full public consultation was carried out in 2024, and there was strong support for a moratorium followed by a legislative ban. Respondents pointed to our climate commitments and raised concerns about environmental and community impacts.”
“The Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill has a very clear objective, which is to bring a permanent end to onshore oil and gas exploration and production in the North of Ireland. The House previously agreed to the direction that we are travelling in. Through the Climate Change Act 2022, we are legally committed to achieving net zero by 2050. The Bill simply ensures that our petroleum licensing framework is consistent with that commitment. <BR /> <BR />For decades, the Department held powers under the Petroleum (Production) Act 1964 to license oil and gas exploration. Exploration took place, but, despite multiple licences being issued over many years, no commercially viable oil or gas was found. The last licence was relinquished in 2020. Since then, the context has changed significantly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Mr Carroll asked a similar one earlier. I have also engaged with the unions around the issue. We are undertaking a programme of work, alongside the Health and Safety Executive and the unions, to address the issues that they have highlighted, look at what is required, be it legislative change or better guidance, and ensure that we provide the right protections for workers, because I very much recognise the issue. There can be terrible consequences if things are not done in the way that they are supposed to be done. It is important that we ensure that the appropriate protections are in place.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It was a ministerial appointment, so I would not recuse myself from that. During my time in the Department of Finance and the Department for the Economy, I have made many appointments. I can assure the Member that the political allegiances or background of any candidate play no part in it. I engage in my role with elected representatives, former elected representatives and former party staffers across a range of agencies and lobby organisations. I have appointed people to different boards, and their political allegiance has played no part in that whatsoever. I appointed a former UUP MLA to the Fiscal Council. Nobody raised any questions about that. The issue here is that a process was followed and followed properly. I stand over it entirely.”
“I also believe that questions are being asked about his appointment only because he is a prominent republican. To me, that stinks of sectarianism. There are no no-go positions for republicans any more. That is just a fact. <BR /> <BR />In relation to the conference to which you referred, I followed the advice from Invest NI. I do not know what advice others are reading, but it said that I should decline it as a stand-alone event. I went as part of a wider programme — a well-worthwhile programme — on prioritising investment in the north-west. If I had not attended, my colleagues in the north-west would rightly ask why I had not taken the opportunity to represent them.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware that all public appointments go through a rigorous process that is set out by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI. That has been the case for any appointments that I have made since I have been in post, both in my current Department and in my previous Department. A robust process is followed that involves application and interviews. The party colleague to whom you referred came through that process, as did the others who were appointed. My view is that he is not only an experienced businessperson and former elected representative but a passionate advocate for all that is good about this place and our businesses, communities and potential. I believe that he will be an asset to the board.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I encourage her to raise that issue when she meets with Tourism NI. We are working through the implementation of the tourism vision and action plan. Supporting community tourism and cultural tourism is part of that. I certainly encourage her to take up any opportunities that she has to engage in that regard, particularly with Tourism NI on its own marketing material.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The main lever for engaging with communities around promoting cultural events and events across the board is through Tourism NI, so I encourage anyone who is engaged in organising events to do that. There will be opportunities to access support via Tourism NI. The organisers of the events that the Member referred to very often engage with and are supported by their local councils. Again, I encourage continued engagement in that regard to ensure that there is economic benefit from any events that take place. It is important that events are inclusive of all communities.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I understand that the new properties will be used collectively to enhance economic opportunities in the area and provide space for entrepreneurs and businesses to help them develop, network and grow, through both office accommodation and meeting rooms. I understand that there is already very strong interest in the available space. The Northgate site will also be used to provide community facilities, and a steering group of local community representatives has been established to further develop and shape the proposals for community use. As the Member will know, significant refurbishment will be required before the majority of the space can be operational. However, consideration is being given to community uses of the buildings in advance of the refurbishment works.”
“North Belfast has enormous potential, and this acquisition ensures that local people and businesses will be at the centre of future growth, so I look forward to seeing those buildings becoming vibrant assets that support opportunity, innovation and community well-being.”
“The North City Business Centre is a registered charity, as the Member will be well aware, that was established to provide advice, support and accommodation for small businesses in north Belfast. It seeks to address enterprise creation and development, support skills for employment and act as a catalyst for economic regeneration. <BR /> <BR />In collaboration with NCBC, I recently completed a substantial investment project which has brought the total footprint of NCBC to almost 200,000 square feet through three new sites. Following redevelopment, the new sites will attract many new and growing businesses and create new local jobs in that highly disadvantaged area. The project has been made possible with £3·75 million from the local growth fund.”
“It is important that we have a comprehensive approach, and, through that, the Department aims to nurture an inclusive environment in which the language can flourish and be beneficial to our communities in future generations.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The forthcoming Irish language policy will cover a wide range of areas, reflecting the Department's commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity. The key areas include support for Irish language education; resources and training for staff; increased visibility of the language in departmental communications; and collaboration with community groups to encourage broader engagement. The policy will also address opportunities to integrate Irish language initiatives into economic development, tourism and workplace environments, ensuring that the language remains accessible and relevant across multiple sectors.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My Department will shortly consult on a new Irish language policy. This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to support and promote the Irish language across the region. We are aiming for a full roll-out of the Irish language policy from September and will ensure that there is a comprehensive and inclusive approach. This initiative reflects my commitment to cultural diversity and enrichment of language heritage in our communities.”
“Significant progress has been made there, but we need to ensure that our further and higher education institutions have a more sustainable funding settlement. I am working hard to deliver on that.”
“Again, I thank the Member for her question. It is fair to reflect on the fact that the further and higher education sector in the North is no different from that in Britain. The common factor is the lack of investment coming from the British Government. That is why, with a united voice, the Executive, and all parties in the House, need to continue to demand better for the people whom we represent. <BR /> <BR />The expansion of Magee is an Executive priority; it is a Programme for Government and New Decade, New Approach commitment. Since the Executive were restored in 2024, my Department has prioritised investment of £35 million. We have seen the impact of that through the 22% increase in student numbers. The Magee task force is working alongside other partners to help us deliver on the 10,000 student target.”
“From my perspective, last week's announcement by Ulster University is a real-world consequence of the Executive not being funded to their level of need. We need to be able to provide sustainable funding. <BR /> <BR />Despite the challenging budgetary position that my Department has faced over the past two years and into the next financial year, I have worked to prioritise skills through our further and higher education institutions. I have argued and been successful in lobbying for additional in-year funding to support our further and higher education institutions, and I have engaged in good faith with both universities to try to enable them to have the best possible budgetary settlement. I will continue to work with my Executive colleagues to try to deliver on that.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Clearly, I am aware of the announcement that was made by Ulster University last week. It will be a worrying time for staff, and my thoughts are with them and their families as they face that uncertainty. That is why I am working to secure a budget settlement that can deliver a prosperous economy with a sustainable further and higher education sector. I have been clear that the financial position facing my Department is extremely challenging, as it is for all Departments. The Executive have also been clear about that. We have been warning repeatedly that our finances are unsustainable. We need to ensure that we have a proper, sustainable funding model for the Executive that will allow us to invest in our public services.”
“I thank the Member. As he will know, the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill passed its Further Consideration Stage just yesterday. The Department has completed consultation on the policy proposals for the closure regulations, and a report on the outcome of the consultation has been published. We are finalising the draft regulations, with the aim of commencing formal Assembly processes for the regulations immediately following the enactment of the Bill.”
“We have provided additional money to the sustainable energy programme that is provided through the Utility Regulator, and we have topped that up over the past number of years. To date, that funding has helped 2,500 low-income households across the region, and we are topping it up again this year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I reflect the fact that it is important that we get support schemes right. Working through the detail and ensuring that what is put in place both works and is value for money are really important. That is something that this place has certainly learned over recent years. <BR /> <BR />I accept that there are people who would like to be in a position to transition from fossil fuels more quickly, and we need to do as much as we can to help them do that. The support scheme is one element that will help people, particularly those in lower-income households, to do that. We also need to provide information, advice and guidance to support people to transition from fossil fuels. Again, that is something that we are working on through the Department. We support lower-income households in particular.”
“Through the course of this year, work will focus on developing the required business case, procurement documentation and support scheme regulations. It is anticipated that a new support scheme will be launched in the latter part of 2027.”
“My Department published the Government response to the consultation on support for low-carbon heating in residential buildings on 26 January. The responses to the consultation are being used to inform policy decisions on the design of and rules and guidance for such support. In tandem with the consultation process, officials have been working on a design plan for a new domestic energy efficiency and low-carbon heat support scheme that will replace the NI sustainable energy programme (NISEP). The design plan is nearing completion, and the intention is to publish it in the coming months. The plan includes details on eligibility, funding options and quality assurance and outlines how the scheme will be managed and operated.”
“We continue to raise with the British Government the fact that that needs to change and that we need to see meaningful intervention, such as that that we saw following the start of the war in Ukraine. That follows the conversation about the Budget for the whole Executive. Again, we are involved in negotiations on that with the British Government, because it is very clear that what is on the table does not provide us with the ability to provide public services in the way that people expect and deserve us to.”
“I do not agree with the Member on that at all. I think that most people out there recognise where the levers sit in relation to the measures that can be taken and recognise that the real levers that will be effective in providing meaningful support to people are with the British Government. I made the point to Mr Honeyford that I have continually impressed upon British Ministers the need to engage with Executive Ministers on the types of supports that they are bringing forward so that those can be put in place as expeditiously as they are in Britain. That does not happen in the way that it should, but I will continue to bang that door and try to ensure that we are in a position to provide support. So far, there has not been enough support forthcoming.”
“That study will examine whether the market is working well for consumers, and, if it finds that it does not, it is expected that it will identify opportunities to improve outcomes for consumers. <BR /> <BR />As the Member will also know, the Consumer Council conducts its home heating oil price checker and fuel price checker surveys across the North, benchmarking energy supplier prices in order to support consumers to make informed decisions. That measure was introduced in the past number of years to improve transparency about costs and to make people aware of where things sit and of what the comparators are.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Over recent weeks, since the current crisis began, I have met representatives of the heating oil and natural gas sectors, National Energy Action (NEA) and business organisations more widely so that I might understand at first hand what the cost pressures are and what impact they are having on lower-income and vulnerable households and businesses. The home heating oil retail market operates under the rules of competition legislation. Trading Standards Service (TSS) works with the heating oil industry to ensure that everyone operates within competition and consumer protection law. As the Member will know, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently launched a market study on the retail supply of home heating oil, which includes the market here.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will recognise that, when it comes to providing financial support, the Executive do not have the firepower to put in place support schemes to the degree that is required. We have been making the case to the British Government for them to step in in a way similar to what they did during the energy cost crisis following the start of the war in Ukraine. In recent weeks, I have met my counterparts and made the case to them directly. I am told that everything is being kept under review. <BR /> <BR />Separately, I have made the case that we need to see urgent cuts to fuel duty and tax. The power to do that rests solely with the British Government. That would have a meaningful, although not huge, impact on the cost base of businesses. That is an important measure that should be taken forward.”