Forward Look
The Electoral Commission is seeking to appoint a Commissioner for Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the organisation in NI. Deadline for applications is 14 October.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney TD is expected to bring a Brexit omnibus Bill to the Dáil in the coming weeks. The Bill is to prepare Ireland for the changes that will follow after the transition period ends. It will consist of 21 parts under the remit of 11 Ministers. The Minister told the Oireachtas Committee for European Affairs that a specialised Committee on Northern Ireland will meet today to discuss the Internal Markets Bill, Brexit and its implications for Ireland.
Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA and Irish Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD have agreed to progress the feasibility survey for a high speed rail network connecting Derry – Belfast – Dublin – Cork. This will build upon the commitment made for a study in New Decade, New Approach.
Sinn Fein MLAs will bring forward a Private Members Motion calling on the EU to require the British Government to fully implement the Northern Ireland Protocol on Monday 12 October.
Question Time for the First and deputy First Minster, and DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA will take place on Monday 12 October. The Economy and Communities Ministers will take questions on Tuesday 13 October.
The Infrastructure Committee will hear a Brexit briefing from Departmental Officials on Wednesday 14 October.
The Department of Health’s Chief Digital Information Officer, Dan West will brief the Health Committee on the Test and Trace system on Thursday 15 October.
The Public Accounts Committee will hear evidence from Department of Education’s Permanent Secretary, Derek Baker on the NI Audit Office’s Special Educational Needs Impact Report on Thursday 15 October.
Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA told The Executive Office Committee that the Interim Advocate’s report into Historical Institutional Abuse will be published on Friday 16 October.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee will hear evidence from Alan McDowell, Vice-President of NILGA, David Badington, Director of Action Mental Health, and Roger Pollen of FSB NI on the inquiry into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on Wednesday 13 October.
Irish Finance Minister, Pascal Donohoe TD will deliver the Budget to the Dáil on Tuesday 13 October.
The APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling will meet on Wednesday 14 October.
Health Committee Chair, Colm Gildernew MLA has launched a survey to ascertain the public’s views and experiences of the NI Covid-19 testing process.
The Northern Ireland Office has opened competition to appoint a member to the Boundary Commission for NI. Applications close on 14 October.
A competition has been launched to appoint the Chair, Vice-Chair and three board members to the NII Arts Council by the Department for Communities. Deadline for applications is 30 October.
The first stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment Bill) is due to take place on Monday 19 October, subject to agreement of the Speaker.
The DUP have launched a policy consultation paper entitled ‘The Next Generation: Inter-Generational and Youth Policy in Northern Ireland’s New Century.’ Deadline for submissions is Monday 2 November. To respond: LINK
TEDxStormont will host ‘Countdown’ on Saturday 10 October. Speakers include Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA, NI born artist, Oliver Jeffers, and Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall. Further information here.
Belfast Film Festival and its sister festival DOCS Ireland will run throughout November and will unveil a series of premieres including the world premiere of a new documentary, Martin McGuinness: I Fought, I made Peace, I made Politics. Further information and the full programme of events can be found: LINK
Other Stories this week
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA joined with his Scottish and Welsh counterparts in a letter to ask the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP for more fiscal flexibility to combat the impact of Covid-19.
The Finance Minister also announced a funding package for the hospitality sector in the North-West due to the imposed restrictions in Derry and Strabane Council area. The package will give small business £800 over two weeks and larger businesses £1,200.
Fiona Ryan has been named Commissioner for Victims of Historical Abuse by The Executive Office. Ms Ryan is currently Chief Executive of Irish domestic abuse charity, Sonas.
The Irish Government published the draft Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 which sets out the Government’s intentions to move to a climate resilient and climate neutral economy by 2050.
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA published the Department of Health’s Surge Planning Strategic Framework for the next wave of the pandemic on Tuesday. To read the framework: LINK
A new All-Party Group for Small and Micro Businesses has been established. John Stewart MLA will Chair the group with SDLP MP Sinead McLaughlin acting as Vice-Chair. A second new APG on Fair Banking and Finance held its first meeting on Thursday with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown discussing the need for more aid from the UK Government to devolved nations for economic recovery. The APG will be chaired by Pat Catney MLA.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has appointed former journalist Allegra Stratton as No.10 Press Secretary.
Trade Union Unite has cut its funding of the Labour Party by 10% in response to the direction leader Sir Keir Starmer is taking the party.
BBC Northern Ireland announced that four senior journalists, Maggie Taggart, Mervyn Jess, Kevin Magee and Political Editor Mark Devenport will take voluntary redundancy.
Belfast City Council launched a new awareness and engagement programme with a focus on positioning Belfast to take advantage of opportunities to drive investment and support inclusive economic recovery. The programme entitled ‘Ambition Renewed’ is led by a taskforce chaired by Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour and consists of a number of public and private body stakeholders.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has been reappointed as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Egypt.
Upcoming key political and business events
10 October, Countdown, TEDxStormont
14 October, Business Engagement Session with Minister Poots, DEARA IoD NI and Phoenix Natural Gas
23 October, The Future of Skills, NI Chamber of Commerce
5 November, Voices of Leadership, Women in Business
27 November, An audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders – One Year On CBI Northern Ireland
Consultations
Trade Union Freedom Bill NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Second Independent Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Assessment Process in NI Department for Communities. Deadline 16 October.
Expert Panel on Educational Underachievement Online Survey Department of Education. Deadline 16 October.
Online Political Transparency The Cabinet Office. Deadline 4 November.
New SEN Regulations Department of Education. Deadline 22 December.
Public Realm Project Department for Communities. Deadline 22 December.