Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 12 April 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Northern Ireland Assembly is to return from its Easter Recess on Monday, while the House of Commons returns on Tuesday.

  • From Monday ‘click and collect’ can resume for all non-essential retail, outdoor retail can reopen, and post-primary-schools will return to face-to-face teaching. The Executive will meet on Thursday to undertake a comprehensive review of restrictions. Economy Minister Diane Dodds has tabled a paper to the Executive’s Coronavirus Taskforce which proposes relaxations for non-essential retail, close-contact services, certain tourism businesses, and possibly restaurants which can open outdoors and do not serve alcohol. Belfast Live has reported that Monday 26 April may be a possible date for potential reopening.

  • The State Opening of Parliament will occur on the 11 May.

  • Adults under the age of 30 will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine. It comes after the UK medicines regulator said there was a possible link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare blood clots. Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride has reiterated that the benefits still outweigh the risks.

  • Sue Gray is to become the new Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office with responsibility for the Union later this month. She has been the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance in the Northern Ireland Executive since May 2018.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon and the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, have announced the launch of an all-island Strategic Rail Review. The review will take no longer than 12 months and will consider how both train networks can improve sustainable connectivity, enhance regional accessibility, and support balanced regional development.

  • The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has launched a recruitment campaign to appoint a new chair and a member to the College Advisory Group. Applications close at 4pm 20 April.

  • The Expert Panel on Educational Underachievement published its Interim Report that examined the link between socio-economic background and educational underachievement. The Expert Panel is expected to finalise the report and submit an action plan to the Education Minister by the end of May. To view Interim Report: LINK

  • The competition to appoint a new RTE Northern Correspondent has opened. Applications close at 5pm on 23 April. For more information: LINK

  • Electronic voting for a new Speaker for the House of Lords opens on Tuesday. Voting will close on Thursday. The result is expected to be announced on 21 April.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann’s consultation for a Statutory Duty of Candour will open on Monday. It will run for a period of 16 weeks.

  • Question Time will take place on Monday for the Agriculture Minister and Communities Minister. On Tuesday, the Economy Minister will answer questions.

  • The Committee for The Executive Office will receive an oral briefing from the First Minister and deputy First Minister on Wednesday.

  • The Education Committee will meet on Wednesday to receive briefings from Autism NI and the Children’s Commissioner regarding Autism training and the SEN framework and regulations.

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will be briefed by Department Officials and Fibrus Broadband Northern Ireland to give an update on Project Stratum.

  • The Agriculture Committee will meet on Thursday to receive oral evidence from Department Officials regarding the withdrawal of local authority staff from ports.

  • The Health Committee will also meet on Thursday to hear a Departmental briefing on Brexit.

  • Mervyn Storey MLA is to replace Gordon Dunne MLA as a member of the Committee for the Economy.

 

Other Stories this week

  • The Executive released a joint statement condemning the recent violence across Northern Ireland over the Easter period and called for calm to be restored to the streets. The Assembly was recalled yesterday to debate an Alliance motion regarding the recent riotous behaviour across Northern Ireland. The motion was passed unanimously.

  • The Education Minister announced the immediate reopening of some youth services in areas of Northern Ireland where there are heightened community tensions.

  • Sinn Fein Economy Spokesperson Caoimhe Archibald MLA launched the party’s “Principles for Economic Recovery” document. The document outlines four principles for economic recovery and a series of policy proposals. To view: LINK

  • The Green Party NI will host their first ever annual conference which will start this evening and close tomorrow virtually.

  • The Department of Finance revealed that over 90% of households have completed the 2021 Census. Field staff will begin calling at houses this week to encourage the remaining households to complete the Census.

  • Sinn Féin confirmed that it will support independent Unionist Ian Marshall and Billy Lawless in the Seanad by-elections. Ballots were opened on Wednesday. Polls will close on 21 April.

  • Lorcan Allen is the new Business Editor of the Business Post after leaving the Irish Farmers Journal.

  • Irish Independent columnist Colette Browne is taking up the role of Communications Director with the Social Democrats.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann announced the further expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme for 40–44-year-olds.

  • Northern Ireland’s economy shrank by 1.4% between Q3 and Q4 last year, according to the latest NISRA figures.

 

Upcoming key political and business events

 

Consultations