Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 14 February 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act 2022 has become law, increasing the one-week period to nominate a First and deputy First Minister to six weeks.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis MP confirmed that the upcoming Assembly Election will take place on Thursday 5 May 2022.

  • The Finance Minister will bring forward a 2021-22 Budget Bill in the coming weeks to deal with the absence of an agreed Executive draft Budget. This will allow departments to spend 45% of their mandated yearly spend.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has received legal advice stating he cannot lift Covid-19 restrictions alone. He has written to his Ministerial colleagues regarding the advice, asking for their responses by 1pm on Monday.

  • Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to MLAs regarding the passage of legislation. He expects that all Executive bills will complete their passage before the end of the mandate.

  • The Department of Finance intends to bring forward a legal framework to the Fiscal Council in the next Assembly mandate.

  • Department of Finance officials confirmed the £100 million block grant consequential and unallocated funds from January monitoring can be carried forward to next year.

  • Belfast City Council is to bring forward legal proceedings to compel the Government and Department of Agriculture to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The UK Government intends to bring forward legislation on culture, identity, and language in Northern Ireland ahead of the Assembly Election.

  • The Irish Cabinet is establishing two Citizens’ Assemblies. One will assist the State respond to biodiversity loss and the other will examine local government structures in Dublin.

  • The Belfast Telegraph has launched its Business Awards for 2022. The deadline for nominations is 11 April. Enter here: LINK.

  • The School Age Bill and the Adoption and Children Bill will have their Consideration Stage on Monday.

  • The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill will have its Consideration Stage on Tuesday.

  • Question Time will take place for the Communities Minister and Economy Minister on Monday. The Education Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from NIC-ICTU on the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill. The Infrastructure Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the review of the Planning Act 2011.

Other Stories this week

  • EY Ireland Chief Economist Neil Gibson has been appointed as Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance. Colum Boyle will take up the role in the Department for Communities.

  • Sir David Sterling has been appointed as the Chair of Northern Ireland Screen.

  • The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill and the Organ Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill have both passed their Final Stage and await Royal Assent.

  • PwC’s NI Economic Outlook Report found that Northern Ireland businesses need to exploit the opportunities created by the NI Protocol.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg MP as the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

  • Samantha Jones was appointed as the interim Permanent Secretary for the new Office of the Prime Minister.

  • The NIO is relocating from Stormont House to Erskine House, expanding the UK Government Hub in Belfast City Centre.

Upcoming key political and business events 

  • 20 February, SDLP Conference, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy

  • 23 February, In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 25 February, Women in Tech Conference, Titanic Belfast

  • 26 February, DUP Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

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

  • 9 March, Post-Brexit Conference: Sustaining and Building Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade, Newry and Dundalk Chamber

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

  • 15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Consultations