Northern Ireland Assembly to Bring Public Policy Debates to Balmoral Show

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA launching the Assembly’s engagement events at the 2026 Balmoral Show.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to bring major public policy discussions directly to thousands of visitors at the Balmoral Show next week, with Assembly committees launching a series of engagement sessions on issues ranging from health and renewable energy to marriage law and the Windsor Framework.

The initiative will see Assembly Members and scrutiny committees meet the public face-to-face across two days at the show, giving visitors opportunities to share views on proposed legislation, ask questions about Assembly work, and take part in surveys and discussions on some of Northern Ireland’s most high-profile political and social issues.

The Assembly’s stand will be located at B44-45 in Section B near the cattle rings and beside Balmoral Way, with organisers promising interactive features, committee engagement sessions, children’s activities, and opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about how Stormont operates.

Speaker says public engagement strengthens Assembly scrutiny

Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA said the Balmoral Show offered a major opportunity for politicians and committees to hear directly from the public on issues affecting everyday life across Northern Ireland.

He said:

“The work of the Assembly and its committees is strengthened when it hears different views and perspectives.

“Engagement events like those taking place at the Balmoral Show provide an important opportunity for people to learn more about the Assembly’s work, to share their views on key issues, and to see first-hand how their contributions can help shape key issues and the scrutiny of legislation.

“The Balmoral Show is one of the biggest events in the Northern Ireland calendar and it was a tremendous opportunity last year to engage with many thousands of people. As a result, an increased number of committee engagement sessions are planned for the show this year and I look forward to hosting a number of events myself.”

The Speaker will officially open the Assembly marquee on Wednesday 14 May at 9.30am.

Health checks and My Care sign-ups among major public services focus

One of the most practical public engagement sessions will take place on Wednesday afternoon when the Health Committee joins the My Care and Farm Families teams to promote free health checks and digital healthcare access.

Visitors attending the session between 12.30pm and 2.00pm will be encouraged to access free checks covering:

• Blood pressure

• Diabetes screening

• Heart health assessments

• Lifestyle and wellbeing advice

The initiative will particularly target farming families and rural communities, where barriers to routine health screening can often delay early diagnosis of serious conditions.

The Committee will also encourage visitors to register for the My Care app during the show. Anyone wishing to sign up is advised to bring their healthcare number and photographic identification.

The Farm Families Health Check service will operate throughout all four days of the Balmoral Show at Stand C7.

Energy, environmental and farming issues to feature heavily

Energy policy and environmental issues will also form a major part of the Assembly’s public engagement programme.

The Economy Committee will use its Wednesday morning session to gather public opinion on the Petroleum Exploration Licensing (Repeal) Bill, legislation which would repeal petroleum exploration licensing in Northern Ireland.

Committee members will conduct face-to-face discussions and opinion polling while explaining the proposed legislation in accessible language for visitors unfamiliar with the detail of the Bill.

The legislation touches on wider debates around environmental protection, future energy policy, and economic development — all issues which continue to generate strong public interest across Northern Ireland.

On Thursday, the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee will focus on Anaerobic Digesters and their role in agriculture, waste management and renewable energy.

The Committee will carry out a public survey while discussing both the potential benefits and concerns linked to anaerobic digestion technology.

Its Balmoral programme will also include a formal committee meeting featuring a briefing from the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), followed by a joint informal session with the House of Commons’ Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

That joint session will not be open to the public.

Public invited to discuss marriage law and Windsor Framework

The Finance Committee will use its Wednesday afternoon session to seek views on the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill.

Visitors will be invited to complete a short survey and discuss how proposed legislation could affect legal recognition, rights and responsibilities for individuals and families.

Meanwhile, the Windsor Framework Committee will focus on increasing public understanding of its role in scrutinising post-Brexit arrangements affecting Northern Ireland.

The Committee plans to engage directly with visitors about issues linked to trade, regulation and the continuing impact of the Windsor Framework on everyday life and business operations.

Assembly promoting greater public understanding of Stormont processes

Alongside the committee sessions, the Assembly marquee will feature a number of interactive attractions designed to make Stormont more accessible and understandable to the public.

These include:

• A new “Committee Corner” feature

• “Get to Know Your MLAs” displays

• Video tours of Parliament Buildings

• The return of the popular “Suggest-a-law tree”

• A dedicated children’s activity area

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will also host a Thursday afternoon session highlighting how public spending is scrutinised and how the Committee investigates accountability and value for money within public bodies.

Organisers say the aim is to help visitors better understand how Assembly committees influence legislation, challenge government departments and examine public policy decisions.

Youth Assembly members to question Speaker at live event

The programme will also include a special Youth Assembly event at 1pm on Thursday when young representatives will question Speaker Edwin Poots MLA on his role and experiences in politics.

Topics are expected to include what inspired him to enter politics and some of the most surprising moments he has witnessed in the Assembly Chamber.

Youth Assembly members will also be available throughout the day to speak with visitors interested in their role within Northern Ireland’s democratic process.

The expanded programme reflects a growing push by the Assembly to increase public participation and understanding of committee scrutiny work beyond the walls of Parliament Buildings, using one of Northern Ireland’s biggest public events to connect directly with communities from across the region.