Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has welcomed a package from Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald designed to strengthen protections for households that rely on home heating oil in Northern Ireland.

Declan Kearney said: "The package of measures set out by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald are aimed at protecting consumers while ensuring any intervention remains proportionate, practical and cost-effective.

"These measures will establish a register of heating oil suppliers, work with the Trading Standards Service and explore using HMRC's Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils scheme to improve transparency and oversight of the market. "It will also create an opt-in register for vulnerable consumers, led by the Consumer Council, to help identify those most in need and enable support to be targeted effectively.

"A Priority Service Programme for vulnerable consumers will be developed to help provide protections comparable to those in the gas and electricity sectors and prioritize support during supply disruption or fuel shortages.

"A mandatory code of conduct for heating oil suppliers will be introduced to strengthen transparency around minimum order volumes, payment and delivery terms, charges and wider consumer protections.

"They will also strengthen consumer redress arrangements, giving the Consumer Council an enhanced role in helping consumers resolve contract and service disputes and providing a clearer route to resolution.

"All these interventions will enhance existing heating oil consumer protection at minimal additional cost."