Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 17 January 2022

Forward Look

  • First Minister Paul Givan MLA said the Executive may be able to lift Covid-19 restrictions at its meeting next week following an "optimistic" update on transmission rates and hospital figures.

  • Talks are ongoing between Foreign Secretary and Brexit lead negotiator Liz Truss MP and European Commission vice president Maroš Šefčovič to address Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit deal.

  • The Executive approved Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA’s £55 million plan, providing a one-off £200 payment to people needing support with energy payments.

  • The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill will be debated in the House of Lords on Wednesday.

  • Danske Bank revised its forecast of economic growth this year in Northern Ireland from 4.7% to 4%.

  • Department for the Economy officials outlined to the Economy Committee that the loss of EU funding to Northern Ireland could result in losses up to £100 million for core services over the next three years including skills, further education, and a rise in higher education fees.

  • The Executive Office Committee is set to seek a meeting with all Committees involved in the High Street Task Force to discuss the progress of the scheme.

  • The UK Government published the Intergovernmental Relations Review, which will see the establishment of a council chaired by the Prime Minister, made up of the Heads of the Devolved Governments to oversee and strengthen relations between the governments.

  • Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA will brief the Economy Committee on Wednesday 26 January on the High Street Stimulus Scheme, the Department’s Energy Strategy and the Budget 2022-25.

  • The Further Consideration Stage of the Financial Reporting (Departments and Public Bodies) Bill will take place on Monday.

  • Question Time will take place for the Justice Minister and DAERA Minister on Monday. The Communities Minister will face the Assembly for Questions on Tuesday.

  • The Economy Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the Economic Recovery Action Plan.

  • The Fiscal Commission will brief the Finance Committee on its interim report into devolving additional tax-varying powers to Northern Ireland.

  • The Executive Office Committee will receive a departmental briefing on Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.

Other Stories this week

  • The Executive Office launched a public appointment competition for five new board members of the Victims and Survivors Service.

  • Finance Ministers from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales called on the Treasury to guarantee that money allocated to support Covid responses will be provided in full.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis MP confirmed the UK Government is focused on passing Irish language legislation before the end of the Assembly mandate.

  • Belfast-based IT firm Kainos bought US procurement management company Blackline Group to grow the firm’s international practice.

  • The Department of Finance said the process to apply for the Omicron Hospitality Payment fund will begin next week.

  • Henry McDonald is the incoming Political Editor of the News Letter.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 17 January, NI Assembly returns from Christmas Recess

  • 11 February, Succeed North West, Fir Trees Hotel, Strabane, Londonderry Chamber

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

Consultations