Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 18 April 2022

Forward Look                                

  • Alliance is expected to launch its Assembly Election manifesto on Wednesday at the CIYMS in East Belfast, while the SDLP is expected to launch its health manifesto next week.

  • MPs will vote on Tuesday to decide if an investigation should be launched to find if the Prime Minister misled the House of Commons over the extent of lockdown parties in Downing Street.

  • The Privy Council has ordered that Parliament should not be prorogued no earlier than the 28 April and no later than the 4 May ahead of its State opening on 10 May.

  • A by-election will be in the coming weeks after Imran Ahmad Khan resigned as the MP for Wakefield.

  • The Irish Government published its updated Trade and Investment Strategy which sets out how Ireland will grow sustainably ahead of 2026. The strategy, along with its seven top actions, can be viewed here: LINK

  • Ahead of the Assembly election, UTV will hold a leaders debate on 1 May. The BBC will host a debate on 3 May.

  • The Irish Cabinet has signed off a proposal to increase the number of TDs in the Dáil by between nine and nineteen. A final decision will made after the completion of the 2022 census.

  • Queen’s University Belfast is to host a two-day event next year to mark the 25 Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

  • Belfast Chamber of Commerce Business Awards will take place on 21 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast. More information can be found here: LINK

  • Chris Mason will replace Laura Kuenssberg as the political editor of BBC News next month.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will meet on Wednesday to receive briefings on how the Governments Borders Bill could impact North-South tourism.

  • Manufacturing Month, which showcases the potential and enhances the excellence of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector will return in May.

Other Stories this week

  • DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP launched the first point of its five-point plan for Northern Ireland. It focuses on the party’s commitments to fix the NHS. To view, click here: LINK

  • The Alliance Party outlined its environmental policies ahead of the Assembly election on 5 May. Policies include the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency.

  • The SDLP launched its election campaign in West Belfast on Monday.

  • Former South Down MLA Jim Wells resigned from the DUP after endorsing South Down TUV candidate Harold McKee.

  • Organisations from the public and private sector launched ‘Renewed Ambition’ to showcase Belfast’s proposition to the real estate investment community. More information can be viewed here: LINK

  • The Department for the Economy published the analysis of the Northern Ireland High Street Scheme which found that 62% of transactions were made in businesses that were closed by regulations in 2020. The full report can be found here: LINK

  • A report by the Irish National Economic and Social Council found that there is support for an all-island approach to economic, social, and environmental challenges. The report can be viewed here: LINK

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 28 April, CBI’s An Audience with Northern Ireland’s Political Leaders, The Great Hall Queen’s University

  • 28 April, Belfast Chamber’s Spring Networking Reception, Whites Garden

  • 29 April, Londonderry Chamber Pre-Election Hustings, Ulster University, Derry

  • 3 May, Manufacturing Month 22 Launch Breakfast, KPMG, The Soloist, Belfast

  • 5 May, Northern Ireland Assembly Election

  • 10 May, State Opening of Parliament

  • 12 May, Anchor High Summit, Manufacturing NI, Galgorm Hotel and Spa

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

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 30 June, Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, Titanic Belfast

Consultations