Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 10 January 2022

Forward Look

  • DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA has confirmed he will bring a paper to Executive colleagues later this month to transfer responsibility for the future implementation of NI Protocol checks to the Executive as a whole. Sinn Féin has said it will not allow the paper onto the Executive’s agenda.

  • The UK’s lead Brexit negotiator, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP will call for “rapid progress” on the Northern Ireland Protocol at a meeting with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič next week, according to The Telegraph.

  • The Executive has this week agreed to maintain the current level of Covid-19 restrictions, first announced on 22 December. The next review of measures will take place on Thursday 13 January.

  • The Assembly will be recalled on Monday 10 January following a Sinn Féin motion, supported by the SDLP and Alliance, on the reopening of schools amid increasing Covid-19 cases.

  • Report Stage for the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill has been scheduled for Wednesday 19 January. The Bill seeks to reform the use of the Petition of Concern mechanism by MLAs.

  • According to the Irish News, the British Government is preparing to introduce the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Bill before the end of the month. The Bill will include provisions for the Irish language and Ulster Scots and create an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression.

  • Westminster’s Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee is accepting written evidence as part of its inquiry into investment in Northern Ireland until Monday 17 January. Next Wednesday, the committee will consider evidence from think-tanks, Pivotal and the Nevin Economic Research Institute.

  • The deadline for applications to the Department for the Economy’s Energy Group is Friday 14 January.

  • The Department of Health has said a consultation on whether to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol will open in “early 2022”. It comes as the policy takes effect in the Republic of Ireland.

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from departmental officials on the Budget 2022-25 and the Energy Strategy.

  • The Executive Office Committee will receive a briefing on EU Exit from Junior Ministers Gary Middleton MLA and Declan Kearney MLA, the committee will also consider in-year budgetary changes for January.

  • The next meeting of Belfast City Council will take place on Monday 10 January. The application process for the Council’s Chief Executive will close on Friday 28 January.

Other Stories this week

  • DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has reiterated that his party may withdraw from Northern Ireland’s political institutions this month if progress is not made on the Northern Ireland Protocol. The end of February has been suggested as an informal cut-off point for talks between the UK and EU.

  • Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Ian Young has told the Health Committee that he expects Covid-19 cases to peak “in the next few weeks” before declining thereafter.

  • A £2 million Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme has been opened by the Department for Communities and will run from 6 January until 31 March.

  • Fianna Fáil has established an internal Committee on Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement, comprised of Senators and TDs.

  • Deborah Turness has been announced as the new Chief Executive of BBC News.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 10 January, Priorities for Health in NI, Policy Forum NI

  • 14 January, A Seat with Sinn Féin, NICVA

  • 17 January, NI Assembly returns from Christmas Recess

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

Consultations