Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 26 July 2021

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Forward Look

  • Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP this week announced major changes to the UK Government’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government is seeking renegotiation with the EU in the coming weeks to remove the burden on trade of goods while managing the risks to the EU Single Market, ensure that businesses and consumers in NI can access goods from the rest of the UK, and normalise the governance basis of the Protocol. The full approach can be read HERE.

  • The Executive agreed that from Monday 26 July no appointment will be necessary to avail of close contact services and that 15 people from unlimited households will be able to meet in an outdoor domestic setting.

  • On Monday the Executive will meet to consider reopening theatres and concert halls, easing the use of face masks in places of worship and schools, the resumption of extra-curricular activities in schools and the normalisation of MOT testing. They will also meet on Thursday to discuss the return of conferences, exhibitions and live music and reducing social distancing to one meter indoors.

  • Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 digital vaccination certificate app is expected to be ready from Monday. The digital certificate will allow people to show they are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes.

  • The Government has announced plans to protect online shoppers from rip-offs and fake reviews as part of a new consultation on reforming competition and consumer policy. It said that people behind bogus online ratings will be targeted by new rules that make it automatically illegal to pay someone to write or host a fake review. The government will also change the law to ensure pre-payment schemes safeguard customers money.

  • Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP issued a direction to the Health Department, Health Minister, the Health and Social Care Board and to the First and deputy First Minister to commission abortion services before 31 March 2022. Full statement can be read HERE.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced that Covid-19 mass vaccination centres will be stood down from 31 July. The announcement came when it was revealed that 82% of the Northern Irish population have received a first dose, while only 56% of those aged 18-29 have received a dose.

  • The Adoption and Children Bill, which will enhance and update the legal framework for adoption in Northern Ireland, will be introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly following summer recess.

  • On Thursday, the Government published its Innovation Strategy entitled ‘Leading the future by creating it’. The strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global hub for innovation by 2035. The strategy can be read HERE.

  • James Toolan has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Department of International Trade in Northern Ireland. An office for the Department is being established in Belfast over the coming weeks.

  • The Northern Ireland Office published its Outcome Delivery Plan for 2021/22. The report outlines the key priorities of the Secretary of State and details of how the Department will deliver these before the end of 2022. The report can be read HERE.

  • A Stormont party leaders’ forum that was scheduled for Monday was postponed amid disagreements over which party would chair the meeting . The Irish News has reported that it will be rescheduled to take place later this month.

  • Covid-19 booster jabs will be rolled out in Northern Ireland to the over-50s and people with underlying health conditions by September. Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride confirmed that he has provided interim advice on the delivery of a third dose in the autumn.

  • The European Commission has announced plans to ban cryptocurrency anonymity in an anti-money laundering plan. The proposals introduced by financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness would “improve the detection of suspicious transactions and activities’ through the establishment of an anti-money laundering authority in the coming months.

  • Queens University Belfast is seeking to appoint a Director of Public Engagement. Applications close on 9 August. Further information can be accessed HERE.

  • The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce’s 63rd President’s Annual Dinner will take place on Friday 8 October 2021 in the Everglades Hotel, Derry. The event will feature a keynote speech from RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly. To book: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The Assembly was recalled on Tuesday to discuss the Government’s legacy proposals. A motion condemning the proposals was passed by an oral vote.

  • The Social Mobility Commission has published its annual State of the Nation report. It outlined that social mobility in Northern Ireland has been hampered by Stormont’s three-year stalemate, Brexit, and the pandemic. The report can be read HERE.

  • SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood MP has called on the Irish Government to establish a citizens’ assembly to discuss Ireland’s constitutional future. He told the Irish News that ‘planning for the possibility of a border poll needs to go further.’

  • Following advice from JCVI, the Department of Health announced the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should be offered to children aged 12-15 with underlying health conditions, children who live with someone who is immunocompromised, and those within 3 months of their 18th birthday.

  • The DUP has selected Peter Johnson to fill the vacancy in the Hollywood and Clandeboye electoral area of Ards and North Down Borough Council. The vacancy arose following Stephen Dunne’s co-option to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  • Sinn Fein has announced that Emma McGinley has been selected to replace Tina Burke in the Moor DEA on Derry City and Strabane District Council.

  • £42.4m was awarded to Smart Nano NI by the UK Research and Innovation’s Strenghth in Places Fund to help develop new technology for medical devices, communication and data storage.

  • Marks and Spencer have warned that it is already cutting Christmas products in Northern Ireland due to concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

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