Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 15 February 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive will meet on Thursday 18 February to review the current Covid-19 regulations. First Minister Arlene Foster MLA said there will be one more push to reduce infection rates. A pathway to recovery document will be published in the coming weeks.

  • The EU-UK Joint Committee on the Withdrawal Agreement will convene no later than Wednesday 24 February to provide ‘political steer’ on the NI Protocol. Committee Co-Chairs Michael Gove MP and Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic said work to address all issues with the Irish Sea Border will be intensified.

  • The Executive Office and the NIO have four weeks to find a solution to fund Troubles pensions after the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal ruled that the responsibility lies with the Executive.

  • First Minister Arlene Foster MLA confirmed that a Programme for Government framework will be agreed by the Executive by the end of April, with a complete programme in action before the summer. She also said that officials are engaging with Irish counterparts on how the Shared Island Fund may be spent on PfG commitments.

  • Department for the Economy officials say they are on target to bring forward a Bill to introduce Statutory Parental Bereavement Leave Pay. The Bill will be brought forward in May and is expected to pass before the end of the current Assembly mandate.

  • The Department of Finance intends to conduct research on the efficacy of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in Northern Ireland, to assess whether it can be retained in its current form and to recommend future policy. This will inform a full legislative review, due to take place during the next Assembly mandate.

  • Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said restrictions will not be fully lifted until at least 70% of the population has been vaccinated. At present, around 22% of adults have received their first dose. Health Minister Robin Swann MLA stressed the need for caution and said mandatory face coverings in shops and on public transport may remain the ‘new normal’.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA told the Education Committee that the Executive will make a decision on the reopening of schools ‘possibly around 18 February’. On the issue of vaccination for special school staff, he said only specific staff caring for clinically vulnerable children will be prioritised.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced £226.5m in funding following Departmental bids. Some £175m was allocated to purchase additional PPE. The figure also includes the £27.3m of additional student support announced last week. Minister Murphy has again urged departments to come forward with bids for the remaining £250m the Executive must spend before the end of March.

  • Question Time will take place for the Economy, Education and Communities Ministers on Tuesday.

  • The Infrastructure Committee will receive a briefing from NI’s four ports on Brexit & Current Issues on Wednesday. Glyn Roberts from Retail NI will also give a briefing on Brexit & Covid Issues.

  • The Communities Committee will hear from Tourism NI, the Institute of Licensing and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill.

  • The All Party Group on Micro and Small Business will meet on Wednesday.

Other Stories this week

  • Manufacturing NI published a survey on the experience of NI businesses with the Protocol. Most respondents said they want it to work, while 23.7% said they are struggling with the post-Brexit transition and 19% said it should be replaced. To read the report: LINK.

  • The Department of Health published the Online Safety Strategy and Action Plan to ensure children and young people in Northern Ireland can safely enjoy the benefits of the online world. To read the full strategy: LINK.

  • The Protection from Stalking Bill passed its Second Reading in the Assembly and will progress to the Justice Committee for scrutiny.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA allocated an additional £2.435m in Rates Support Grant to councils, to assist with the financial pressures of Covid-19.

  • Staff working at Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs border posts at Larne and Belfast ports returned to work on Wednesday 9 February.

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