Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 27 September 2021

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Forward Look

  • Please find attached a summary of the upcoming legislation – of particular note is the Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill and the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.

  • The High Street Voucher Scheme will open for applications on Monday. The £100 pre-paid card can be used in any brick-and-mortar retail outlet until Tuesday 30 November. To apply: LINK.

  • The Executive will meet on Tuesday to discuss social distancing requirements, and will finalise its autumn-winter Covid Contingency Plan on Thursday 7 October. SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has called for the implementation of Covid-19 vaccine passports requiring individuals to be fully vaccinated to enter hospitality and entertainment venues.

  • Parliament has risen for Conference Recess and will return on Monday 18 October. The Labour Party Conference begins tomorrow in Brighton. The SDLP has cancelled its Annual Conference next month due to continuing high Covid-19 rates. Sinn Féin has confirmed it will hold a hybrid Ard Fheis on 30 October in Dublin and online.

  • The Government has launched a new Office for the Internal Market (OIM). The body will support the effective operation of the UK’s internal market post-Brexit.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has warned that certain departments may face cuts in the next Stormont Budget as health concerns are prioritised. A new 3-year Budget is expected to be announced after the Chancellor’s UK Spending Review on 27 October. The Fiscal Commission is set to publish some of its preliminary findings next week.

  • European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič will bring forward EU legislation related to the NI Protocol in the coming days, with proposals on customs formalities, agri-food checks, and an enhanced role for Stormont institutions expected to be announced. Mr. Šefčovič has said that outstanding issues on the Protocol should be resolved before the “end of the year”.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA has announced she is to establish a Victims of Crime Commissioner Designate for Northern Ireland.

  • A single common transfer test is set to be introduced from November 2023 if agreed by grammar schools. A new company, the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG), is being set up to run the test.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA is expected to launch a public consultation on reform of NI’s social care system later this year.

  • A report on what form the investigation on Northern Ireland’s mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries will take will be published by the Truth Recovery Panel next month.

  • On Monday, the Executive Office and Finance Minister will take part in Question Time. The Health Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA will brief the Economy Committee on the Economic Recovery Action Plan. Junior Ministers Declan Kearney MLA and Gary Middleton MLA will brief the Executive Office Committee on Brexit. The Finance Committee will receive a briefing on the Department of Finance’s 2021-22 Business Plan, and the Infrastructure Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the Road Safety Strategy. The All Party Group on Community Pharmacy will meet.

  • On Thursday, Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will brief the Health Committee. The AERA Committee will receive Oral Evidence from the department on the draft Green Growth Strategy, while the Communities Committee will receive briefings on the Charities Bill.

  • The Centre for Cross Border Studies’ 22nd Annual Conference begins today. Register here: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • Jonathan Gullis MP has been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has formally requested that the Planning Appeals Commission holds a Public Inquiry into the Dalradian Gold Mine project.

  • The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill has passed its Second Stage by 69 votes to six. The Bill, which would make all adults potential donors unless they opt out, will progress to Committee Stage for scrutiny.

  • Anthony Harbinson has been appointed as DAERA Permanent Secretary. Following the split of the Head of the Civil Service role, TEO Permanent Secretary Denis McMahon will now lead the Executive Office, focusing on NICS reform and policy. Jayne Brady, the new Head of the Civil Service, will oversee the strategic priorities of the Civil Service.

  • Belfast City Council Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie has been appointed Chief Executive and Head of the Public Service for the States of Jersey. Ms. Wylie takes up her new role in January 2022.

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