AQW 33491/22-27

Mr David Honeyford
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 14/10/2025
Answered On Date: 21/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the (i) purpose; (ii) necessary provisions; (iii) financial implications; and (iv) timescale, for the First Stage introduction of the Onshore Petroleum Licensing Bill.

Answer:

The Petroleum Exploration and Licensing (Repeal) Bill will introduce a ban on all forms of onshore petroleum exploration and production in the North through amendments to The Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and related regulations.

There are no financial implications associated with the Bill’s introduction.

The Bill is in the final drafting stage, and I plan to introduce it to the Assembly in January 2026.