Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 9 August 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive has published its 'Building Forward - Consolidated Covid Recovery Plan' to accelerate economic, health, and societal recovery over the next 2 years. To read: LINK.

  • The establishment of an independent Infrastructure Commission to advise on the delivery of large-scale projects; a Green Growth Strategy; new skill and re-skill programmes for Further Education; and an AI Collaboration Centre have been included as key commitments in the Plan.

  • Current Assembly Speaker and long-serving Sinn Féin MLA, Alex Maskey is to step down from politics at the next Assembly Election in May 2022.

  • The SDLP has announced its candidates for the Foyle constituency for next year’s election. Current MLAs Sinead McLaughlin and Mark Durkan will be joined by former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Councillor Brian Tierney. The TUV has selected John Ross (East Belfast) and Ron McDowell (North Belfast) as its first two election candidates.

  • Ex-DUP leader Peter Robinson will conduct a review of the party’s internal structures amid recent divisions. Part of the review includes reforming how the party chooses its leader with a final report expected in October.

  • The Executive is said to be considering the introduction of vaccine certificates for entering hospitality venues in Northern Ireland and is awaiting advice from the cross-departmental Covid Taskforce.

  • The Department of Health has announced that from today Covid-19 vaccinations will be provided to all 16 and 17 year olds.

  • The Department of Finance has issued a Procurement Advisory Note, to be reviewed in late September, which will allow construction firms to increase already agreed prices for public sector contracts to account for fluctuating building material costs.

  • Climate activist and County Armagh student Emer Rafferty has been named as Northern Ireland’s ambassador for the COP26 Climate Change Summit in November.

  • From Sunday, Northern Ireland’s international travel lists will change. Austria, Germany and Norway will be added to the Green List, whilst India will move to the Amber List. Those returning from an amber list country who have been fully vaccinated do not have to self-isolate or take the day eight post-arrival test.

  • NILGA’s Annual General Meeting will take place next Friday at Belfast Castle and via zoom.

  • The film schedule for this year’s Docs Ireland has been announced, to view: LINK. The festival will run from 25 to 29 August with both live and online screenings.

Other Stories this week

  • The Electoral Office of Northern Ireland has clarified that the electoral register will not be wiped until later this year, enabling those who have not yet re-registered to still be eligible for the High Street Stimulus Scheme in September.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced plans to establish a £1 million fund to remove aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding from private residential buildings over 18 metres.

  • In a letter to Mid and East Antrim councillors, Sir Peter Hendy, tasked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP to conduct the Union Connectivity Review, has said that the Government remains committed to delivering a Freeport in Northern Ireland “as quickly as possible”.

  • The winners of Retail NI’s High Street Heroes 2021 campaign have been revealed. To view: LINK.

  • A LucidTalk survey has found that 71% of people in Northern Ireland believe integrated schools should be the main education model, up from 66% eight years ago.

  • Aer Lingus is expected to name Emerald Airlines as its new regional carrier this week, with a new service likely to begin in January.

  • The UUP has co-opted Matthew Bell to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to represent the Omagh DEA.

  • The Balmoral Show is the latest NI event which will require proof of a full Covid vaccination or negative test before entry, following Belsonic and Féile an Phobail.

  • Baroness Margaret Ritchie has joined the Board of Directors of the Centre for Democracy and Peacebuilding.

  • Gail Bell, Editor-at-Large of the Belfast Telegraph has announced she has left the newspaper, while BBC NI’s Environmental Correspondent, Conor Macauley has taken up a new role as RTE’s Northern Correspondent.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 13 August, NILGA AGM

  • 19 August, Green Recovery Forum, Institute of Directors

  • 1 September, Belfast City Council Meeting

  • 5 September, Northern Ireland Assembly returns from Summer Recess

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

Consultations