Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 24 August

Forward Look                                

  • The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has published papers on housing and property as part of Spending Review policy analysis. To view, click HERE.

  • A review of the Government’s Statutory Framework for Ethics in Public Life will be published in the coming weeks, setting out proposals for legislative reform.

  • Opposition parties have called for Enterprise Minister of State, Robert Troy TD to make a statement regarding declaration of assets on the return of the Dáil, Wednesday 14 September.

  • Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council have unveiled a ‘City Edge Strategic Framework’, laying out a 50-year plan to transform west of the city. To view, click HERE.

  • The Department for Further and Higher Education will shortly publish an updated ‘National Access Plan’ for 2022-26 to improve access to higher education.

  • In autumn, the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, reforming the appointments process to any court in Ireland, will be introduced to the Seanad.

  • The process to appoint a permanent Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland is expected to continue into next year, according to media reports. An interim Chief Executive will be appointed next month.

  • On Tuesday 30 August, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) will publish labour market statistics for Q2 and the latest air and sea travel figures.

  • On Thursday 8 September, the European Central Bank is expected to announce a further interest rate increase.

  • On Thursday 13 October, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue TD will host an agri-food policy summit at Dublin Castle.

  • The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has appointed Maree Gallagher as President and Jeanne Kelly as Vice-President. The Chamber’s Annual Networking Dinner will take place on Thursday 8 September. For more information, click HERE.

  • Irish Times Editor Paul O’Neill will step down later this year. A recruitment process will begin immediately. Hugh O’Connell has been appointed Deputy Political Editor at the Irish Independent.

Other Stories this week

  • A review of An Bord Pleanála has been commenced by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and will be completed by 30 November.

  • The Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure met with independent TDs for pre-Budget talks. The Coalition Government is currently one seat short of a majority.

  • The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has announced a new national electronic platform for public sector procurement.

  • Cork City Council has launched the first of three City Development Plans for 2022 – 2028 focused on job creation, housing and transport. To view, click HERE.

  • Eurozone inflation reached 8.9% in the year to July, according to European Commission data.

  • TikTok has agreed a deal to lease a new warehouse at Dublin’s docklands for 800 additional workers.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 8 September, British Irish Chamber Annual Networking Dinner.

  • 14 September, Dáil Éireann returns from summer recess.

  • 16 – 17 September, Dublin Economics Workshop Annual Policy Conference.

  • 22 September, IBEC President’s Dinner.

  • 27 September, Budget Day.

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference.

  • 30 September – 1 October, Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis.

  • 6 October, Construction Industry Federation Annual Conference.

  • 11 – 12 October, Hospitality Expo 2022.

  • 20 October, Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner.

  • 22 October, Fianna Fáil Taoiseach’s Dinner.

Consultations