Debate contribution: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Pádraig Delargy on 27 April 2026.

MLA: Mr Pádraig Delargy
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 27 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5508176

Text

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of the Bill. At the outset, I acknowledge the work of the Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, in introducing the legislation. The Minister has taken a clear and strategic approach to one of the biggest economic questions that we face: how do we build a modern, resilient economy while managing the transition from fossil fuels? That approach has been supported by evidence from the public and evidence taken from stakeholders, as well as other key policy on it. The Bill meets the Minister's economic vision. It is an environmental measure as well as an economic intervention. It recognises that continued petroleum exploration no longer matches the direction of travel in global markets, where capital is increasingly flowing towards renewables, clean technologies and energy efficiency. Clinging to outdated models risks leaving our economy exposed, not protected. We need to be honest here about the future of growth and where that will come from. The global shift to decarbonisation is not a distant prospect and already shapes investment decisions, supply chains and job creation. By removing the legislative basis for petroleum exploration, the Bill gives investors clarity and certainty. It sends a clear message that this region intends to be a part of and leader in the emerging low-carbon economy. That certainty matters because it reinforces the Minister's work on this, and it is already attracting investment in renewable, green manufacturing and innovation. Energy security is, of course, pivotal to any such discussion. As we emerge in 2026, energy security cannot be viewed only through the lens of fossil fuel extraction. Real security comes from diversification, resilience and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and volatile energy markets. The Minister's work in supporting an all-Ireland energy framework is also critical, in that it helps us to maximise the renewable opportunities, reduce costs for consumers and build a more resilient system. That is good environmental policy as well as good and smart economic policy. We should be clear about the economic risks that can come from continued petroleum exploration, particularly in sectors such as tourism. In some places, environmentally damaging extraction can put at risk the natural assets on which the local community and economy depend. For example, the European Commission has highlighted the environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing or fracking, including potential impacts on water quality and on landscapes. Tourism bodies, including Fáilte Ireland, have also been clear that Ireland's tourism offer rests heavily on its reputation for unspoilt natural environments. In the past, when fracking was proposed in places such as County Fermanagh, concerns were raised about how it could change perceptions of the area among visitors. The fear was that industrialising rural landscapes could deter tourism, and that matters in regions where tourism is a key economic driver and jobs depend on protecting environmental quality. Of course, the transition must be managed properly. A just transition means investing in skills, real support for workers and targeted regional development. The Minister has been clear that the benefits of that change must be felt across all communities and that no area is left behind. I support the Bill at Second Stage, and I look forward to its continued progress through the House.

540 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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