Forward Look
The Executive has agreed to extend the current lockdown restrictions until 5 March to be reviewed on 18 February. Education Minister Peter Weir will bring forward a paper to the Executive next week on the reopening of schools.
Head of the Covid Vaccination Programme for Northern Ireland, Patricia Donnelly has stated that Phase Two of the programme is “on course and ready” to commence next week for the over-75 and the clinically vulnerable.
Virtual proceedings in the NI Assembly are due to take place next month to allow for remote participation.
The draft Programme for Government consultation opens on 25 January.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has published the Draft Budget 2021-22. Respond by 25 February. To view: LINK.
The Department for the Economy has issued a new research report entitled the Future of Energy Policy in Northern Ireland. To view: LINK.
Question Time will take place for the Executive Office and the Economy Minister on Monday. Questions to the Education Minister will take place on Tuesday.
The Economy and Infrastructure Committees will both meet on Wednesday to hear departmental briefings on Brexit.
The Communities Committee will continue its scrutiny of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill on Thursday, taking evidence from local brewers, the PHA and Omniplex.
Other Stories this week
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has established the first ever Infrastructure Youth Assembly.
The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill passed the Final Stage in the Assembly and will achieve Royal Assent in the coming weeks.
The Functioning of Government Bill, sponsored by TUV MLA Jim Allister, had its Further Consideration Stage this week.
Sinn Féin’s Martina Anderson MLA has launched a document aimed at addressing regional and employment inequalities. To view: LINK.
Former SDLP MLA Alex Attwood has been appointed to the Electoral Commission to represent smaller parties at Westminster.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee has deferred a decision on a proposed £40 million anaerobic digestion facility at Belfast Lough.
Upcoming key political and business events
1 February, Next meeting of Belfast City Council
9 February, Achieving Executive Presence, Women in Business NI.
3 March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak to deliver the Budget
4 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Virtual Conference 2021
Consultations
Increased CPR Training Consultation NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Zero Hours Contracts Bill Consultation NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Consultation on the creation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Consultation on a ban on fracking in Northern Ireland NI Assembly. Deadline TBC.
Living with Water in Belfast Department for Infrastructure. Deadline 29 January 2021.
Period Poverty and Free Sanitary Products Bill Consultation NI Assembly. Deadline 29 January 2021.
Consultation on paid leave for victims and survivors of domestic abuse NI Assembly. Deadline 29 January 2021.
Climate Change Legislation Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Deadline 1 February 2021.
Consultation on the New Substance Use Strategy Department of Health. Deadline 5 February 2021.
Consultation on enhancing legal protections for victims of domestic abuse Department of Justice. Deadline 11 February 2021.
Consultation on opt-out organ donation Department of Health. Deadline 19 February 2021.
Draft Budget 2021-22 Consultation Department of Finance. Deadline 25 February.
Consultation on proposals to introduce legally binding targets to tackle Northern Ireland’s biodiversity crisis SDLP. Deadline 8 March 2021
Consultation on Adult Safeguarding Department of Health. Deadline 11 March 2021.
Consultation on new strategy for supporting and challenging women and girls in contact with the justice system Department of Justice. Deadline 12 March 2021.