Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead / Week Commencing 20 July 2020

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Forward Look

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA is to propose making face coverings mandatory in all shops next week. It will be discussed at the Executive on Thursday.

  • Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA announced proposals to reform liquor licensing laws in NI including changes to later opening hours for pubs and Easter trading arrangements. A Bill will be taken through the Assembly with the new legislation expected to be in place by Easter 2021.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Stormont yesterday and met the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council has been announced for Friday 31 July in Dublin.

  • PM Boris Johnson is today expected to unveil £3 billion of extra cash for the NHS in England to help it prepare for a potential second wave of Covid-19.

  • The UK Government unveiled its blueprint for policing trade between different parts of the country after the post-Brexit transition period ends. Stormont is set to get powers in areas such as air quality and animal welfare which is currently regulated at EU level.

  • A report by MPs on the NI Affairs Select Committee into the New Decade, New Approach deal has warned of the danger of devolution being “blown off course” and called for the UK Government to set out a financial plan to deal with problems posed due to Covid-19. A one-page brief on the NI Affairs Select Committee Report on the New Decade New Approach Agreement is attached.

  • MPs on the NI Affairs Select Committee have also questioned if the government can meet its promise of "unfettered" trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

  • The second meeting of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Specialised Committee took place in Brussels yesterday. The UK Government intend to provide further guidance to businesses in NI in the “coming weeks”.

  • Regulations were laid in Westminster to allow for same-sex religious marriages to take place in NI from September.

  • Recruitment for the new Head of the Civil Service in NI has opened. Applications are open until Wednesday 29 July at 12 noon. Further information can be found here.

  • Julian Lewis MP has been elected Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee despite the government expecting Chris Grayling MP to be elected. A report on Russian Interference in UK Politics could be released next week.

  • The Irish Government has launched a public consultation on remote working. Further details can be found here.

  • PM Boris Johnson is to propose moving both Houses of Parliament to York while the Palace of Westminster is refurbished.

  • Paul Kennedy will be appointed as the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards on Tuesday 21 July.

  • The findings from Phase 1 of the clinical trials of Oxford University’s Coronavirus vaccine will be published in the Lancet medical journal on Monday 20 July. Promising news has been reported. 

  • The CNO will brief the Health Committee on Thursday 23 July.

  • The All Party Group on Autism will meet on Monday 20 July.

  • The All Party Group on UNSCR 1325, Women, Peace and Security will meet on Thursday 23 July.

Other Stories this week

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD sacked Agriculture Minister Barry Cowan after 17 days in the role. Mayo TD, Dara Calleary has been appointed to lead this Ministry.

  • Apple and the Irish Government won their appeal against the European Commission’s tax rulings.

  • Sandra Duffy, Sinn Féin Councillor on Derry and Strabane District Council has been elected Chair of the North West Regional Development Group.

  • The Disasters Emergency Committee launched an urgent appeal to help millions of people living in fragile places such as Yemen and Syria affected by Covid-19. Further information can be found here.

  • Eason announced that they do not intend to reopen stores in Northern Ireland again. 144 jobs have been affected.

  • The NI Retired Police Officers Association have proposed that an independent commissioner be appointed to deal with Troubles relation investigations.

  • PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne offered an unreserved apology to journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey for raids on their homes and businesses in 2018.

  • Chris Sherrard, Editor of Belfast Live has been appointed Reach PLC’s Audience and Content Director for Ireland.

Consultations

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