Forward Look
The DUP Party Conference has been postponed until Autumn following the passing of Christopher Stalford MLA. The party must co-opt a new MLA for the South Belfast constituency by Monday.
Invest NI will host a major showcase event for Northern Ireland businesses on Thursday at the International Conference Centre. To register for the hybrid event: LINK
Ministers Michelle McIlveen MLA, Conor Murphy MLA, Nichola Mallon MLA, Robin Swann MLA, and Naomi Long MLA will deliver a public apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse on 11 March.
Dame Rotha Johnson MBE and Maureen O’Reilly have been appointed as panel members for the Independent Review of Invest NI.
EU-UK Protocol negotiations are to continue in a “discreet” manner due to the upcoming Assembly election.
The Institute of Export & International Trade will open a new office in Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has launched a public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol. To respond by 17 May 2022: LINK
Belfast City Council expect a refreshed ‘Belfast Agenda’ document will be published for public consultation in the Spring.
The Department for Economy will commission an independent evaluation of the High Street Spend Local Scheme to assess the Scheme’s efficacy.
The Climate Change (No.2) Bill will have its Further Consideration Stage on Monday.
The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill will have its Second Stage on Tuesday.
Question Time will take place for the Infrastructure Minister and Justice Minister on Monday. The Agriculture Minister and Health Minister will face questions on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the NI Assembly EU Affairs Manager will brief the Executive Office Committee.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD will address attendees at the Londonderry Chamber’s President’s Annual Lunch on Thursday.
The six Further Education Colleges and Hospitality Ulster will partner to host a virtual panel event discussing the working relationship between the two sectors on Thursday.
Other Stories this week
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has denied that he intended to re-join the UUP following an approach from party leader Doug Beattie MLA in May 2021.
The SDLP cancelled its party conference following the death of Christopher Stalford MLA.
Invest NI have suspended new offers of financial support to potential investors because of uncertainty surrounding its budget.
Departmental officials have told the Finance Committee that health, rates, and borrowing were the key emerging themes that informed the Executive’s draft Budget 2022-25 in the absence of a Programme for Government.
Ministers and MLAs will receive a £500 salary increase from April due to inflation.
The Protection from Stalking Bill has passed its Final Stage. The Autism (Amendment) Bill and the School Age Bill have passed their Further Consideration Stages.
Richard Morgan will join the BBC Radio Ulster Evening Extra presenter team from 21 March.
Upcoming key political and business events
3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry
3 March, Northern Ireland Showcase, Invest NI, International Conference Centre
3 March, Further Education & Hospitality: Collaborative partners on the road to recovery, Northern Regional College and online
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.
Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol. Department of Health. Deadline 17 May 2022.
Reform of Adult Social Care. Department of Health. Deadline 18 May 2022.