Official Report: Minutes of Evidence
Committee for the Economy, meeting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Members present for all or part of the proceedings:
Mr Phillip Brett (Chairperson)
Ms Diana Armstrong
Mr Pádraig Delargy
Miss Jemma Dolan
Mr David Honeyford
Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Ms Kate Nicholl
RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill: Clause-by-clause Consideration
The Chairperson (Mr Brett): The Committee Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill is under way and will conclude on or before 27 February. The Committee deliberated informally on the clauses of the Bill on 11 February 2026, and informally indicated that it was unlikely to bring forward any amendments. This session will be reported by Hansard. Are members content to proceed?
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Brett): Members are now asked to set out their formal views on the clauses for the record, and votes may be required. The Committee will proceed clause by clause, and I will put the questions formally.
Clause 1 (Power to make regulations)
Question, That the Committee is content with clause 1, put and agreed to.
Clause 2 (Commencement and short title)
Question, That the Committee is content with clause 2, put and agreed to.
"A Bill to enable the Department for the Economy to make regulations to close the non-domestic RHI scheme."
Question, That the Committee is content with the long title, put and agreed to.
The Chairperson (Mr Brett): Members, the Committee Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill has now concluded, subject to agreement of the Committee report.
The Committee Clerk: The Committee will write to the Department to advise it of that and suggest that it publishes the renewable heat incentive (RHI) compliance arrangements and relevant statistics in order to enhance public confidence.
Members indicated assent.
The Chairperson (Mr Brett): I thank colleagues for all their work on and dedication to the Bill. Obviously and rightly, it has attracted particular attention from across the spectrum in Northern Ireland. The Bill will ensure value for money for the taxpayer and a fair outcome for current participants in the scheme. On behalf of the Committee, I thank each of you for the way in which you have approached it.