Forward Look
The Executive has announced further easing of lockdown measures due to the ‘R’ rate being between 0.6 and 0.9. Hospitality services will reopen, with self-catering tourism sites such as caravan parks allowed to open from 26 June, and bars and restaurants on 3 July. Hairdressers and beauty salons will be open from 6 July. Other measures include social distancing between children and young people to be reduced to 1m within schools and colleges, and shielding letters given to those more vulnerable to Covid-19 will be paused from 31 July.
First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, has said the key worker definition will no longer be applicable from 1 July, meaning all parents can avail of childcare. Childminders will be able to look after 4 children at a time, with this moving to 5 children in August.
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA has been appointed Communities Minister temporarily while Deirdre Hargey MLA steps aside due to Health issues.
The Department for the Economy launched a consultation into Parental Bereavement and Pay. The consultation follows similar legislation brought in by the UK Government. Deadline for responses is 10 August. To view the consultation: HERE
Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Irish Green Party Leaders have agreed on a Programme for Government that will form the basis of a Coalition Government. The PfG document has been presented to all party members who will vote on the Programme on Thursday. If agreed, Micheál Martin will take the role of Taoiseach and Leo Varadkar Tánaiste. They will rotate roles in December 2022.
First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, confirmed Brenda King, First Legislative Counsel in the Executive Office, will discharge the duties of the Attorney General on an interim basis. This follows the announcement that current AG, John Larkin QC, will step down from the role on 30 June.
The Communities and Economy Ministers will be take part in Question Time at the Assembly on Tuesday 23 June.
Education Minister, Peter Weir MLA, will brief the Education Committee on Wednesday 24 June on the Covid-19 response.
SOLACE will brief the Communities Committee on Wednesday 24 June on the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on local councils.
Parliament will hear an Adjournment Debate on BBC regional political coverage on Monday 22 June, tabled by Conservative MP, Neil Parish.
Northern Ireland Questions will be heard on Wednesday 24 June at the House of Commons.
Victim’s Commissioner, Judith Thompson, will give evidence on addressing the legacy of the past to the NI Affairs Select Committee on Thursday 25 June.
The Department for Communities has announced Sarah Havlin as the Commissioner for Local Government Boundaries. The Commissioner will launch a review into the number, boundaries and names of local government districts and wards, and make recommendations to the Department.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Association’s new President is Cllr Matt Garrett. The Sinn Fein Belfast City Councillor replaced Cllr Frances Burton of Mid Ulster Council at NILGA’s AGM on Thursday.
The Northern Ireland Office has opened the process to appoint Commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Applications close on 26 June.
The seventh annual BelTech Conference will go online between Monday 22 June and Thursday 25 June. To register for the free conference: www.beltech.co
Other Stories this week
The Departments of Health and Communities have launched a virtual Covid Wellbeing Hub to promote positive mental health during the pandemic. The hub, in partnership with 16 charities and 28 health living centres can be found: https://covidwellbeingni.info/
The Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA, published the medium-term economic recovery plan covering the next 12-18 months. ‘Rebuilding a Stronger Economy’ sets out a framework to deliver higher paying jobs, a highly skilled workforce, and a more regionally balanced economy. This was launched alongside a new Economic Advisory Group, chaired by Ellvena Graham. To read the economic paper click HERE.
Hospitality Ulster have called on the Executive to reduce the 2m distancing rule to be to 1m to ensure the hospitality sector can remain commercially viable and properly reopen.
Ireland has been elected to the United Nations Security Council, after winning a two-third majority in a vote between Canada and Norway for two seats. The last time Ireland won a seat on the Council was 2001.
The Prime Minister announced the Department for International Development will merge with the Foreign Office. The new joint Department will be known as Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and will be set up by September.
Derry City and Strabane Council have granted planning permission for Atlantic Hub to build an international IT services and data centre, located at Foyle Port.
The Health Minister has extended the post of the Chair of the Public Health Agency. Andrew Dougal, who took up the role in April 2015, will continue as Chair until June 2021.
Abortion regulations which came into effect in March passed the final legislative vote in the House of Commons and will now go to Royal Assent to be made law.
52 jobs have been created by UK based business, Firefly Learning Ltd, a digital education platform that will support schools with remote learning. The business has partnered with Invest NI to set up in Northern Ireland.
Consultations
Consultation on Bereavement Leave and Pay Department for the Economy. Deadline 10 August.
Consultation on Further Education Support and Charging Policy at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) DAERA. Deadline 11 September.