Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 24 May 2021

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Forward Look

  • DUP Leader Designate Edwin Poots MLA is expected to announce his new ministerial team next week. Reports suggest Mervyn Storey MLA, Paul Givan MLA, Paul Frew MLA, Michelle McIlveen MLA and new Deputy Leader Paula Bradley MLA are in line for top positions. A reshuffle of Committee and Policing Board positions is anticipated.

  • A host of relaxations to the Covid-19 regulations will take effect on Monday 24 May, including the reopening of indoor hospitality and tourist accommodation. Indoor group exercise can also resume, the stay local message will be removed, wedding receptions permitted and indoor visits in domestic settings for six people from no more than two households also allowed.

  • Outgoing First Minister Arlene Foster MLA will stand aside as DUP Leader on Friday 28 May, though will remain in her ministerial position until the end of June. The DUP’s ruling Executive will meet on Thursday to ratify Edwin Poots as leader.

  • The Ulster Unionist Party Council will meet on Thursday to formally ratify the election of Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie as party leader.

  • An external competition to appoint a new Department of Finance Permanent Secretary will launch in early June. Interviews and testing will take place throughout the summer, according to Finance Committee Clerk Peter McCallion.

  • Danske Bank UK Chief Executive in Northern Ireland Kevin Kingston is to retire later this year. He will be replaced by current Deputy CEO Vicky Davies who will become the first female CEO in the bank’s 200-year history, subject to regulatory approval.

  • The Department of Finance Innovation Lab Report on increasing social value in public procurement will be presented to the Procurement Board on Wednesday 9 June. If approved, Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA intends to present it to the Executive “at the earliest opportunity”.

  • A motion on Restrictive Intervention and Seclusion of Children and Young People with Additional Support needs will be debated in the Assembly on Monday.

  • The First Stage of the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill to introduce an entitlement of two weeks’ paid leave following the loss of a child or stillbirth will take place on Tuesday. The Second Stage is scheduled for Monday 7 June.

  • Question Time will take place for the Infrastructure and Justice Ministers on Monday. The Agriculture Minister will take questions on Tuesday.

  • The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) will brief the Infrastructure Committee on a Review of the Planning Act on Wednesday, while the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from Department officials on a Review of Level 4 and 5 provision in HE and FE. The Executive Office will hear from Junior Ministers Declan Kearney MLA and Gordon Lyons MLA on Brexit.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA will brief the DAERA Committee on the withdrawal of staff from Ports on Thursday, while the Health Committee will continue taking evidence on the Health and Social Care Bill with briefings from NILGA, Community Pharmacy NI, the British Association of Social Workers NI and the British Dental Association.

  • The All Party Group on Mental Health will also meet on Wednesday.

  • The Northern Ireland Office has given consent to UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt to press ahead with a Private Members’ Bill to introduce libel reforms that will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. NI had previously been excluded from the Defamation Act 2013.

  • The next major review of Covid-19 regulations will take place on Thursday 10 June. First Minister Arlene Foster MLA told the Assembly this week that the data continues to move in a “generally positive direction”.

 Other Stories this week

  • UK Brexit Minister Lord Frost and Vice President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic have been invited to address Stormont’s Executive Office Committee on the impact of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • Sinn Fein Councillor Cathy Mason (Newry, Mourne and Down District) has been chosen over Emma Rogan MLA as the South Down candidate for next year’s Assembly Election. The move follows a period of restructuring in Foyle, where the Irish News is reporting that Fiachra McGuinness, Conor Heaney, Maeve McLaughlin and the party leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy are the leading contenders to run in place of outgoing MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan.

  • The Derry News is reporting that local campaigner Lilian Seenoi-Barr may be selected by the SDLP to replace Councillor Mary Durkan, who stood down from her position this week.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has signalled a July by-election in Dublin Bay South, as parties ramp up campaign preparations to replace outgoing Fine Gael TD Eoghan Murphy.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched his Department’s three-decade roadmap, setting out plans to 2050 with a focus on health, sustainability, rural communities and growth and diversity in the agri-food sector. View the plan: LINK.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has established a Culture, Arts & Heritage Recovery Taskforce made up of 25 members to support the sector in the wake of the pandemic.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA has set out plans for a return to exams in the next academic year, including significant reductions in assessments across a range of CCEA qualifications.

  • First Minister Arlene Foster MLA has indicated that the High Street Task Force will exist for an initial five-year period, with a performance review due early in the next Assembly mandate. Four subgroups have been established on influencing policy and strategy; promoting the development of capacity; developing and promoting good practice; and influencing and shaping intervention and investment.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has launched a Call for Evidence to inform a new Strategy on increasing housing supply. Closing on 16 July, a full public consultation will follow later this year. For more information: LINK. A series of online workshops will also run throughout the consultation. Details: LINK.

  • Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has introduced a bill in the Dáil that would allow Northern Ireland MPs to have speaking rights in the Oireachtas.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has appointed Ken Nelson as Chair of Northern Regional College. The four-year appointment takes effect from 1 July 2021.

  • Belfast Live has appointed Sarah Scott as Deputy Editor.

  • Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade is recruiting for the role of Chief Executive Officer. Applications close on Friday 28 May.

  • The Covid-19 vaccination programme surpassed one million first doses this week. Those aged 25 to 29 are now eligible to book their jab.

  • Innovation City Belfast, a partnership of six key institutions in the city, has announced plans to put innovation at the heart of post-pandemic recovery. Priorities include a major Innovation District to grow SMEs, an Innovation Investment Service for outside investors, a city-centre focused ‘Smart District’ and a Smart Port using 5G connectivity and digital technology.

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