Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 28 September 2020

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Forward Look

  • The Executive Office are to appoint an Interim Head of the Civil Service while this position is readvertised. According to the Newsletter the three candidates who reached the final interview stage on Wednesday but were unsuccessful were Department of Finance Permanent Secretary, Sue Gray, Department of Justice Permanent Secretary, Peter May and Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly.   

  • US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney will visit Northern Ireland for a series of engagements next week.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA announced an additional £165 million of funding for business, infrastructure, culture, schools and local councils. This includes £40 million towards local councils and £14.8 million for the A6 project.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA also welcomed the Chancellor’s Winter Economic Plan but called for clarity on the new ‘Job Support Scheme’. He also raised concerns about the cancelation of the Autumn Budget which could impact on the Executive’s ability to make economic plans. 

  • Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA has announced work is to commence on the development of Anti-Poverty, Disability, Gender Equality and Sexual Orientation Strategies which will be published by the end of 2021. Work will also take place in relation to dealing with Child Poverty and the Active Ageing Strategy.

  • Communities Minister is also set to consider proposals in respect of gambling legislation in Northern Ireland before announcing her next steps in the “coming weeks”. Initial findings from the consultation show strong support for the creation of an independent gambling regulator in NI.

  • Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA has said the first sectoral meeting of the North South Ministerial Council is expected to take place on Friday 6 November.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA is expected to announce her plans for a voucher scheme to support the tourism sector in NI. £9.9 million has been allocated by the Finance Minister for this initiative.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA is expected to introduce several Bills to the Assembly in the coming months. These include a Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill in October/November and a Protection from Stalking Bill before the end of the year.

  • The Department of Health is drafting legislation to restrict the sale of e-cigarettes to over 18s.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA is expected to meet with representatives from the haulage, taxi, private hire, and bus and coach sectors next week. Work on a support scheme has begun.

  • The Department for Communities is working with Belfast City Council to deliver public realm enhancements in Belfast City Centre. This consultation is set to open on Wednesday 30 September. 

  • The Standards Committee in Westminster has launched an inquiry into the Code of Conduct for MPs. The deadline for written submission is 22 October. More information here.

  • A ‘Dying with Dignity Bill’ will be debated by TD’s in the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.

  • The EU-UK Joint Committee will meet again on Monday 28 September. NI Executive Ministers have been invited to take part.

  • Question Time to the Executive Office and Communities Minister will take place on Monday 28 September from 2pm. The Economy Minister and Education Minister will be questioned on Tuesday 29 September.

  • The Assembly will consider a Legislative Consent Motion brought forward by the Communities Minister on ‘The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill’ on Monday 28 September.

  • A Private Members Motion related to children with hearing difficulties and deafness will be debated in the Assembly on Monday 28 September.

  • Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín MLA will brief the Communities Committee on Wednesday 30 September on her upcoming priorities.

  • The Infrastructure Committee will be briefed by Departmental Officials on the Planning Act 2011 (Review) Regulations on Wednesday 30 September.

  • The All-Party Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence will meet virtually on Tuesday 29 September. The All-Party Group on Suicide Prevention will meet on Wednesday 30 September.

  • Northern Ireland Oral Questions will take place in the House of Commons on Wednesday 30 September.

  • TEDxStormont will host ‘Countdown’ on Saturday 10 October. The global initiative will champion and accelerate solutions to the global climate crisis. Speakers include Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA, SONI Managing Director Jo Aston and Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall. Further information here.

Other Stories this week

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA launched the £11.2 million Engage programme which is aimed at addressing the impact of Covid-19 on children’s learning.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced that Dr Guduru Gopal Rao, microbiologist in London North West University will lead the independent investigation into the SAI review involving deaths of patients in the Southern Trust.

  • The leaders from the four pro-Remain parties in NI held a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD in Dublin to discuss concerns about the UK Government’s Internal Market Bill.

  • DAERA Permanent Secretary Denis McMahon said if the UK/EU Joint Committee on the NI Protocol doesn’t reach agreement on minimising the animal-based product checks required at NI Ports, the average supermarket lorry entering from GB would require 400 separate certificates.

  • Community Pharmacists in NI took part in the first conference to share their experiences throughout Covid-19.

  • Restrictions were announced by the Health Minister Robin Swann MLA in respect of visits to hospitals and care homes across NI.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA announced additional skills and innovation support for social enterprises in NI.

  • Labour MP Nadia Whittome was sacked from her junior role in the Shadow Cabinet for voting against the Overseas Operations Bill.

  • The Central Bank in Ireland has fined KBC Bank Ireland more than €18.3m over its role in the tracker mortgage controversy.

  • US Insurance company, Office of America announced plans to expand its operations in Northern Ireland. 40 additional roles are expected by 2022.

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