Debate contribution: Renewable Electricity Generation Bill: Second Stage
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 8 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Renewable Electricity Generation Bill: Second Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5673937
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his intervention. I can certainly give him that commitment on the point about state aid. It is important. Other EU states have similar schemes in place. I take on board the point that he made about the timescales for some of the decisions to be made. We do not want any unnecessary delays at a future date, so we will ensure that that engagement happens. On the point about the ability to require payments to be made, we are putting in place the legislation, and that will be the legislative basis. I probably cannot share legal advice, but I am happy that we will share any further legal opinion on the matter with the Committee in order to give some reassurance on the issue. There are certainly already situations where that is happening on a voluntary basis, but we want to make it mandatory. I think that I have covered all the points, unless anybody else wants to put their hand up. If not, I will come to a conclusion. When we consider that oil was $97 a barrel this morning, I think that we all understand why we need to have greater self-sufficiency through generating our own energy to ensure affordability for consumers and businesses. I reassure the Committee of my willingness to take on board its views as the legislation progresses. As I think that I have shown with previous pieces of legislation, I value the role that the Committee plays, its input and its ability to add to the legislative progress, so I look forward to continuing that engagement as the Bill continues its progress through the Assembly. I commend the Bill to the Assembly.
283 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.