Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 8 March 2023

  • The Government’s moratorium on evictions will not be extended and will lapse on 31 March.

  • The European Union could formally adopt aspects of the Windsor Framework as early as 21 March according to reports from RTÉ.

  • The Government’s new public-only contract for hospital consultants comes into force today. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association and other representative bodies have largely rejected the move.

  • A referendum on gender equality and removing a constitutional reference to a women’s place in the home will be held in November.

  • Support for the Social Democrats has almost doubled following Holly Cairns TD’s accession to leadership of the party. Cairns is now the second most popular leader in the Dáil according to polls.

  • US Security officials are reported to be in Ireland ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit next month that will see him likely visit Belfast, Dublin, Mayo, and Louth.

  • Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Members’ Motion calling on the Government to immediately reduce energy costs by introducing price caps.

  • A Government inquiry has been launched regarding allegations of historical institutional abuse in schools run by religious orders.

  • The Cabinet is set to approve €20m to fund the development of accommodation for refugees.

  • The Government Climate Action Plan 2023 has promised significant progress on two major transport projects, Metrolink and Dart Plus commencing in 2024.

  • Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris TD has received Government approval for a €41m student accommodation project at Dublin City University.

  • Former HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid has warned against revisionism in the upcoming inquiry into the state’s response to Covid-19.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023 will have its committee stage and remaining stages today.

 

Other Stories this week

  • The Economic and Social Research Institute has published a study citing communities’ pessimism about their future being tied to anti-immigrant sentiment.

  • Surging VAT receipts linked to high inflation has already delivered a €4bn boost to the Government’s finances this year.

  • The Central Bank in its latest quarterly bulletin has said it expects inflation to fall more rapidly than previously expected.

  • Inflation across the OECD block slowed marginally in January.

 

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 8 March, Dublin Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day, The Raddison Blue Golden Lane, Dublin.

  • 8 March, National Property Awards Gala and Ceremony, RDS, Dublin.

  • 9 March, The National Property Awards, the InterContiental Hotel, Dublin.

  • 21 March, Engineering Summit, Sport Ireland, National Indoor Arena, Dublin.

  • 23 March, Showcasing the Dublin to Belfast FinTech Scene, Ballymascanlon House, Dundalk.

Consultations