Forward Look
The SDLP will hold its virtual Party Conference at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy on Sunday.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has confirmed that the proposed three-year Budget cannot be brought to the Assembly and must be approved by the full Executive. The Budget consultation has been paused.
At the Finance Committee, Department of Finance Officials stated that they are hopeful that a Budget Bill for 2022-23 will be passed during the next Assembly mandate or by Westminster.
Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to members to inform them that there isn’t enough time for four Private Members’ Bills to be progressed. These include the Trade Union and Labour Relations Bill and the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banned Weekly Working Hours) Bill.
The Invest NI Independent Review led by Sir Michael Lyons will be published in September 2022.
The EU UK Joint Committee will meet next week to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.
It is expected that the DUP will attempt to use the Petition of Concern to block the passage of the Integrated Education Bill. Jim Allister MLA and Rosemary Barton MLA are expected to also sign the petition.
The Irish Times has reported that President Joe Biden is to visit Ireland this summer.
The Interparliamentary Forum will have its first initial meeting next Friday in the House of Lords to discuss how it will operate.
Queen’s University Belfast will host a Leaders’ Lectures Series ahead of the Assembly election. More information can be found here: LINK
The Budget Bill will have its First Stage in the Assembly on Monday.
The Autism (Amendment) Bill will have its Further Consideration Stage on Wednesday.
Question Time will take place for the Economy Minister and Finance Minister on Monday. The Education Minister and Health Minister will face questions on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a Departmental briefing on proposed city deals.
NILGA will hold a free hybrid conference on the Future of Regeneration in Northern Ireland on 15 March. To register: LINK
Other Stories this week
Mark Parkinson has been named as the interim Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Sinn Féin’s Caoimhin McCann is to replace Councillor Stephen Magennis on Belfast City Council for the Colin DEA.
The Irish Government has published a new lobbying bill which will extend the definition of lobbying to bring more business representative bodies and business coalitions within the scope of lobbying legislation.
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced he will establish a Regional Trauma Network to better support victims and survivors.
The Autism (Amendment) Bill, the School Age Bill and the Adoption and Children Bill passed their Consideration Stages at the Assembly.
Figures have shown that imports and exports between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland doubled during the first year of Brexit.
An opinion poll by the Institute for Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool found that Sinn Féin are still on track to be the largest party after the Assembly election.
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
3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry
5 March, Alliance Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast
9 March, Post-Brexit Conference: Sustaining and Building Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade, Newry and Dundalk Chamber
9 March, CIPR Women in Politics Breakfast Event, Long Gallery, Stormont
10 March, Women in Business awards
14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference
15 March, The Future of Regeneration, NILGA, Craigavon Civic Centre and online
15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes
24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference
26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast
Consultations
Territorial System of Taxation. Department of Finance (ROI). Deadline 7 March 2022.
Violence Against Girls and Women Strategy. The Executive Office. Deadline 7 March 2022.
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy. Departments of Health and Justice. Deadline 7 March 2022.
Draft Investment Strategy. The Executive Office. Deadline 20 April 2022.
Reform of Adult Social Care. Department of Health. Deadline 18 May 2022.