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

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Forward Look

  • DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has appointed Gordon Lyons MLA as Economy Minister, replacing Paul Frew MLA. Mr Donaldson has said he will conduct “a more fundamental reshuffle of posts in September”.

  • The Executive announced an indicative date of 26 July for relaxations including a reduced legal requirement for social distancing, face coverings during acts of worship are recommended in guidance but not legislation, the return of live music with no restriction to volume levels in concert halls and theatres, the return of conferences and exhibitions with audiences allowed in seated venues, up to ten people from three households can meet indoors and up to 15 people from any number of households can mix in gardens. Regarding international travel, arrivals from amber list countries who have been fully vaccinated in the UK, do not need to self-isolate.

  • The Assembly has risen for summer recess and will return on Monday 6 September.

  • The Irish News has reported that former DUP press officer Cllr Deborah Erskine has emerged as the favourite to take Arlene Foster’s Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat when she steps down later this month. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stated there “isn’t a path” for him to become an MLA, thus he will continue to lead the Party from Westminster for the time being but has reiterated his intention to become First Minister.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced a new policy which will see mandatory scoring of social value within public procurement contracts. The policy comes into effect from March 2022 and applies to service contracts valued above £123,000 and construction contracts valued above £4.7m.

  • An independent industry-led body called the Makers Alliance has been established to drive a strategic development of Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing sector.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA introduced a Private Tenancies Bill in the Assembly, which will improve protections for individuals renting in the private sector. The Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill, which will create opt out organ donation legislation, also had its First Stage.

  • The Irish Government’s Budget will be held on Thursday 12 October.

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has launched a Fellowship programme to support, develop and build the capacity of 24 mid-career leaders in a range of sectors across Northern Ireland.

  • CMO Dr Michael McBride has warned that worst-case Covid modelling shows that Northern Ireland could have 3,000 – 8,000 new cases per day and 400 hospitalisations per day by the end of the summer.

  • The UK Government will publish its plans for the future of the NI Protocol before it rises for summer recess in two weeks.

  • The Climate Change (No.2) Bill, sponsored by DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA, passed its First Stage in the Assembly. The Bill will have its Second Stage following summer recess. Clare Bailey MLA’s alternative Climate Change Bill is currently at Committee Stage.

Other Stories this week

  • Army veteran and ex-DUP Derry and Strabane Councillor Ryan McCready has joined the UUP.

  • Áine Murphy has replaced Seán Lynch as Sinn Féin MLA in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, following Mr Lynch’s retirement.

  • Sinn Féin Councillors Tina Burke and Aileen Mellon are expected to stand down from Derry and Strabane Council, with new representatives being co-opted to their positions.

  • Lord Frost will appear in front of The Executive Office Committee today to discuss the NI Protocol.

  • According to RTÉ, voter turnout for the Dublin Bay South by-election was around 40%. Vote counting starts this morning with the result expected this weekend.

  • Sam McBride announced he will soon be leaving his role as Politics Editor at the Newsletter and will be the Northern Ireland Editor for the Belfast Telegraph and the Sunday Independent.

  • Taoiseach Michael Martin TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced €40m for a North-South Research programme, provided through the Shared Island Fund.

  • The Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill passed its Final Stage this week and will receive Royal Assent in due course.

  • The Integrated Education Bill, brought to the Assembly by Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong, passed its Second Stage.

  • DUP MLA and Chair of the Autism APG Pam Cameron’s Autism (Amendment) Bill had its First Reading in the Assembly.

  • Belfast City Council has agreed Sunday trading hours for larger stores will return to those of pre-Covid times in September.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee published its report on Citizenship and passport processes relating to Northern Ireland: LINK.

  • UUP Councillor Robert Burgess has been appointed as the President for NILGA for 2021-22.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 24 September, Annual Conference, Centre for Cross Border Studies

  • 8 October, Londonderry Chamber President’s Dinner, Everglades Hotel, Derry

  • 22 October, 2021 Business Awards, Belfast Chamber of Commerce

Consultations