Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 8 February 2021

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Forward Look

  • In a letter to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove MP has called for the ‘grace period’ on EU checks applied to supermarkets and their suppliers importing goods from GB into NI to be extended until at least January 1, 2023.

  • In reaction to the EU’s later reversed decision to trigger Article 16 on January 29, the DUP have released a five-point plan they intend to implement in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP urging both governments to establish a dialogue with all parties in Northern Ireland to reduce tension surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The DUP have submitted a petition to the UK Government to trigger Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol. To date this petition has over 82,000 signatures. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.

  • Interim Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Jenny Pyper, has announced that the Covid-19 Task Force is aiming to present a Covid-19 recovery paper to the Executive office in the coming weeks. She also confirmed that the recruitment of a Permanent Head of the Civil Service is ongoing to ensure there is a smooth handover this Summer.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA announced that special school staff who are supporting children with the most complex healthcare needs will be added to the Covid-19 vaccine priority list.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced a new funding package of £105.9m to be allocated following bids from Departments, including £10.4m for student hardship and £7.4m to extend the Large Tourism & Hospitality Business Support Scheme.

  • Gordon Lyons MLA has outlined his priorities as the new Agriculture Minister following the temporary resignation of Edwin Poots MLA due to health reasons, including the development of a Multi-decade Green Growth Strategy.

  • Question Time will take place for The Executive Office, Justice Minister and Agriculture Minister on Monday.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will brief the Health Committee next Thursday, with the Committee also receiving a departmental briefing on the 2021/22 Budget.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA will brief the Communities Committee on Thursday regarding Regional and Sub Regional Stadia.

  • Ulster University has announced that Allied Health Professions degrees are to be moved to its Magee campus from September 2022.

  • Local Government Boundaries Commissioner Sarah Havlin has commenced the statutory review process of the 11 district Council boundaries and the wards within each district in Northern Ireland. By June 2021, the Commissioner plans to publish provisional recommendations and hold a public consultation.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA has announced that alternative awarding arrangements for A-Level and GCSE qualifications will be based on school professional judgements. The Minister will brief the Education Committee on the re-opening of schools, examinations and grading systems on Wednesday.

  • The Economy Committee will receive a briefing on the Draft Budget for 2021/22 from Department officials on Wednesday.

  • The Finance Committee will receive oral evidence from the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre on the 2021/22 Draft Budget on Wednesday.

  • Michelle Canning, Special Adviser to the deputy First Minister, has resigned just 2 months after taking up her role. There are no current plans to replace her.

  • Provisional details of the High Street Task Force, which seeks to build sustainable and thriving city and town centres across Northern Ireland, have been outlined to the Assembly Executive Office Committee.

Other Stories this week

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA announced a new £3m scheme to help micro-business retailers develop their e-commerce sales.

  • Gary Middleton MLA has replaced Gordon Lyons MLA as Junior Minister in the Executive Office.

  • The Functioning of Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which introduces new regulations on Special Advisers, passed its Final Stage in the Assembly and will now receive Royal Assent.

  • The UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced new processes aimed at easing groupage issues faced by hauliers moving products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has introduced new penalties for those using a mobile phone while driving. Motorists caught will receive six penalty points and a £200 fine.

  • The Health Committee has published its Inquiry Report on the Impact of Covid-19 in Care Homes. To view: LINK

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