Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 17 May 2021

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Forward Look

  • The DUP Leadership election will take place today at 11am, with only party MLAs and MPs able to vote. Edwin Poots MLA and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP are in the running for Party Leader, with Paula Bradley MLA, Gregory Campbell MP and Paul Frew MLA contesting the Deputy Leader position. Results are expected by 5pm.

  • The Belfast Telegraph reports that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP plans to run in the 2022 Assembly election and hopes to become First Minister if he is elected DUP leader.

  • An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson today at Chequers. The two leaders are expected to discuss recent unrest over the Northern Ireland Protocol and wider British-Irish issues.

  • A host of relaxations to the Covid-19 regulations will be subject to ratification next week. If agreed on Thursday, from the 24 May the stay local message will be removed, indoor group exercise will resume, extracurricular activities will be allowed in schools, outdoor gatherings will increase to 500, and the tourism sector, indoor hospitality and indoor tourism attractions will open. Competitive sport will be able to commence from 31 May. While theatres, concerts, conferences, and exhibitions will be able to resume from 21 June subject to risk assessments.

  • The Executive agreed to use the Irish Cup Final as part of a study to inform the future safe return of spectators to venues. The cup final on 21 May at Mourneview Park Football Stadium will be used as a learning event. Up to 1,000 fans will be able to sign up to attend.

  • Steve Aiken MLA has confirmed that he will stand down as leader of the UUP. Doug Beattie MLA has declared that he will be standing for the leadership. Robbie Butler MLA has ruled a leadership bid out. Nominations will close on Monday.

  • The Prime Minister has announced that there will be an independent public inquiry with legal powers into the Government’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. He confirmed the Government will coordinate with devolved administrations before finalising the terms of the inquiry. The inquiry is due to start in spring 2022.

  • The Government laid out its legislative agenda for this parliamentary session at the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday. The Queen outlined that the Government will introduce legislation to address the legacy of the past in NI, introduce the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petition of Concern) Bill to implement aspects of the New Decade, New Approach deal, and introduce the Dissolution & Calling of Parliament Bill to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011. To view a full breakdown: LINK

  • Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney TD has said that there is pressure on the EU and UK to come up with solutions on the Northern Ireland Protocol by June, ahead of the marching season. This comes as Brexit Minister Lord Frost called on the EU to show pragmatism regarding the Protocol, saying it is “hard to see” that it is sustainable as it is currently operating.

  • The next Lord Mayor of Belfast will be Alliance Party Cllr Kate Nicholl. She will succeed the DUP’s Frank McCoubrey at a Council meeting on 1 June.

  • Pam Cameron MLA is to introduce an Autism Private Members’ Bill to amend and strengthen the current Autism Act.

  • SDLP Cllr Mary Durkan has announced that she will stand down from Derry City and Strabane District Council on Monday. Her replacement will be announced in the coming weeks.

  • The international documentary film festival, Docs Ireland will return to Belfast from 16-19 June 2021 with a series of online events in which industry professionals will hear from rising stars and documentary film makers. For programme and ticket information: LINK

  • Question Time will take place for the Executive Office and the Finance Minister on Monday. The Health Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • Education Minister Peter Weir MLA will brief the Education Committee on Wednesday on assessment, restart, and contingency planning. The Finance Committee will also meet to receive oral evidence from Graham Brownlow of Queen’s University Belfast on a Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland.

  • The Economy Committee will receive an update on the UK Exit from the European Union from department officials on Wednesday. Department officials and the Victims and Survivors Service will also brief the Executive Office Committee on Wednesday on Historical Institutional Abuse.

  • On Thursday, departmental officials will brief the Health Committee on the Health and Social Care Bill. The Communities Committee will receive a briefing from the Independent Review Panel of Charity Regulation NI on the independent review of charity regulation.

  • This year’s BelTech conference will return on June 10 and 11. The two-day event will feature industry leaders from a range of disciplines including CEO of Nextdoor Sarah Friar, Expleo Global Head of DevOps Graeme Clarke and OutSystems Delivery Lead Neueda Emma Neill. To register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • The Prime Minister and NI Secretary, Brandon Lewis MP, have apologised to the relatives of those killed in the Ballymurphy shootings in August 1971. This followed an inquest that found that the ten people shot dead during an Army operation were entirely innocent.

  • Following the party’s local election results in England, Labour Leader Keir Starmer MP announced a reshuffle of his Shadow Cabinet. Louise Haigh MP kept her role as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA launched her department’s ‘10X Economy: An Economic Vision for a Decade of Innovation’ plan. The document identifies 10 guiding principles which underpin the Department’s work to position the economy amongst other international small economies. They include supporting a greener economy, inspiring the future generation to thrive, delivering improved outcomes for all and increasing innovation. To view: LINK

  • Patricia O’Lynn has temporarily replaced Claire Johnson as Special Advisor to Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA.

  • The Private Members’ Climate Change Bill, sponsored by Green Party MLA Clare Bailey, passed its Second Stage in the Assembly this week. It moves now to Committee Stage.

  • Hydrogen NI launched this week. It is a clean hydrogen membership group that contains organisations with an interest in developing Northern Irelands clean hydrogen economy.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA launched a major Civil Service external recruitment campaign for 500 positions at Executive Officer grades based in Departments at a number of locations immediately.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA confirmed her intention to proceed with the Enniskillen Southern Bypass scheme having considered environmental information and consultation responses.

  • A planned North-South Ministerial Agricultural meeting could not go ahead this week as Minister Edwin Poots MLA boycotted the meeting in opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The Irish Times has reported that a bipartisan group of US Congress members has written to President Joe Biden urging him to appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland in order to support the peace process.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Londonderry Chamber welcomes Executive announcement on relaxations

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin

Reacting after the Executive met today to sign off on Covid relaxations, Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“It’s welcome that the Executive has come to a decision today and given our businesses certainty for 24 May, subject to ratification next Thursday. While we would have liked to have seen the full reopening of hospitality as early as 17 May, it’s positive that a date has been agreed well in advance to give business owners time to prepare, order stock, and get their premises in order. The full return of hospitality is crucial for our high street and city centre recovery, sectors which are reliant on each other to thrive, and will be important as we look towards rebuilding. It’s also welcome to see movement on things like large-scale events, concerts, and conferences and exhibitions, which are crucial for the full reopening of our economy and our return to normality.

“There is now a period for the Executive Office to engage properly and extensively with businesses and lay out exactly what they must do to be able to reopen safely and securely on 24 May. The Executive must do everything it can to make sure we avoid the problems we saw across Northern Ireland before 30 April when many outdoor hospitality venues were told at the 11th hour that they could not reopen under the new Covid regulations. Another situation like this would be deeply unfair to these businesses, which have been shut longer and have been harder hit than any others and have invested a great deal of time and energy in making their premises Covid compliant.

“We look forward to the further reopening of the economy in the coming weeks and we would encourage people to keep shopping local and supporting local businesses as they emerge from lockdown. The Executive must now turn its focus to how we can remove further restrictions on businesses and society as we normalise the economy again, including the removal of social distancing and other mitigations which will allow for greater numbers of customers to be welcomed back to our businesses at any one time.”

Trade bodies urge Executive to relax regulations further - “High Street is not open until all can open.”

(L-R) Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber, Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Paul Clancy, Chief Executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

(L-R) Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber, Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Paul Clancy, Chief Executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

A number of Northern Ireland’s business trade bodies are calling on the Executive to relax hospitality regulations further when it meets on Thursday as retail takes hit due to the continued cap on the hospitality sector.

Statistics from the NI Retail Consortium/Shoppertrak Footfall index shows that while footfall was up significantly in comparison to 2020, shopper numbers were down considerably on the last “normal year”, 2019. On Saturday 1 May, the busiest day of opening weekend, footfall was down by over 16% from where it was in 2019. 

A decline in dwell time has also been reported by retailers reporting shoppers spending less time in high streets and town centres due to a lack of open hospitality options restricting shoppers stopping for a coffee or a meal.

The trade bodies are urging the Executive to consider the reopening of the hospitality sector when it meets to ensure a bigger footfall and spend from the public on high streets and town centres.

In a joint statement, NI Retail Consortium (Aodhán Connolly), Retail NI (Glyn Roberts), Banbridge Chamber (Michael Donaghy), Bangor Chamber, (Geoff Thompson), Belfast Chamber, (Simon Hamilton), Causeway Chamber (Karen Yates), Lisburn Chamber (Garry McDonald), Londonderry Chamber (Paul Clancy), Portadown Chamber (Adrian Farrell), Newry Chamber (Colm Shannon), and Omagh Chamber (Colm Broderick) said:

“As the Executive convenes tomorrow to review the current restrictions, it is essential that careful consideration of the implications the continued limitations on hospitality are having on the wider high street.

“Ministers now must work to ensure that the date of reopening for these businesses is guaranteed, with no confusion or frustration over regulations like what occurred last week. City, town and village centres have been hit hard enough over the past 14 months. Now’s the time for the Executive to give these businesses certainty and optimism moving forward and commit to the full reopening of our economy.

“The limited opening over the past two weeks has been a start and businesses across Northern Ireland have welcomed back customers with open arms. However, until hospitality is fully reopened, footfall, spend and dwell time will be down which will have an impact on the local economy.

“It is make or break time for the retail, hospitality and leisure industries. Simply put, the high street is not open until we are all open. The strength of the interdependent relationship between our sectors means that there are footfall drivers in each of the industries and there are businesses and workers who rely on those drivers to remain viable. There is no doubt that the continued restrictions on hospitality are having a negative impact on retail and leisure, and hindering the reopening of the economy.

“We are firm that it is not what you sell which is important but whether you can sell it safely. Our colleagues in hospitality have invested heavily and have gone above and beyond to ensure the correct measures and precautions are in place to safeguard both customers and staff. It is clear hospitality is ready to open fully.”

“We encourage the Executive to engage fully with us well in advance of reopening to ensure all businesses can sustain this reopening period. With the virus threat level lowered to Level 3, and the continued success of the vaccine roll-out, there is no justification to defer reopening. The Executive must remain completely focused and committed to the reopening of the Northern Ireland economy.”

North West businesses urge Executive to take advantage of NI’s unique post-Brexit trading position

Dawn McLaughlin, President, Londonderry Chamber

Dawn McLaughlin, President, Londonderry Chamber

A new survey has found that 80% of Londonderry Chamber members want the NI Executive to take advantage of Northern Ireland’s unique trading position introduced by the NI Protocol.

Two-thirds of respondents said the Protocol was having either minimal or no effect on their business, with 17% stating it presents an ongoing challenge, but they were coping.

When asked how the North West can capitalise on new trade rules, members suggested the introduction of a robust marketing campaign highlighting Northern Ireland’s dual access to UK and EU markets to attract foreign investment and job opportunities.

45% of respondents also sought a targeted information campaign on a sectoral basis to support businesses. However, respondents said that post-Brexit trading arrangements were causing an increase in paperwork and supply-chain issues especially with GB suppliers.

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“These survey results highlight the untapped potential that our new trading position has for the benefit of the Northern Irish economy. There is a serious opportunity to position Northern Ireland as a location ripe for investment and growth. It is imperative that the Executive now produces a workable, strategic plan to take advantage of our unique access to EU and UK markets going forward.

“However, this survey also shows that Brexit is still posing difficulties to many North West businesses. While the NI Protocol is better than a no-deal Brexit, it still presents challenges for our local businesses. With four in ten firms experiencing an increase in paperwork, and the same number experiencing supply-chain issues, the Executive must work with the UK Government and the EU to iron out these issues to protect North West businesses. A particular focus must be given to GB suppliers whose lack of action continues to pose problems.

“As a border region, the North West is ideally located to make the most of the new arrangements, straddling the UK and the EU as we do. With a strong and committed marketing campaign which sells the benefits of our unique status on the global stage, we can attract significant investment, employment and business opportunities to the North West economy. Businesses are flexible and pragmatic by their very nature and many of them just want to make the best of the new trading arrangements we face. It’s crucial that the Executive meaningfully engages with them, providing clear, targeted information to support them going forward.

“In the last 12 months, the pandemic and Brexit have posed significant challenges to North West businesses. Just as the Executive has supported local businesses in Covid recovery, Ministers must now begin to maximise the opportunities afforded to us by the Protocol and capitalise on them to support our economy’s recovery effort.”

BelTech returns with eighth annual conference

Curators of BelTech 2021: (Front to Back) Design Director at Big Motive Rebecca Walsh, Consultant at Liberty IT Brian Craig, Senior Leader at Allstate NI Columb Duffy and Senior Manager of Product Technology at Allstate NI Jason McBride.

Curators of BelTech 2021: (Front to Back) Design Director at Big Motive Rebecca Walsh, Consultant at Liberty IT Brian Craig, Senior Leader at Allstate NI Columb Duffy and Senior Manager of Product Technology at Allstate NI Jason McBride.

BelTech - the conference that unites the technologists of today with the revolutionary technologies of the future - is set to return with its eighth annual event in June.

Known for stimulating an explosion of activity among the local tech community, BelTech 2021 will take place virtually on June 10 and 11 curated by Kainos, Allstate NI, Big Motive and Liberty IT.

The two-day event will feature industry leaders from a range of disciplines including Co. Tyrone native and CEO of popular neighborhood app Nextdoor Sarah Friar, Expleo Global Head of DevOps Graeme Clarke and OutSystems Delivery Lead at Neueda Emma Neill.

A forum for practitioners and leaders to exchange practical experiences of the application of technology with peers, BelTech will also highlight achievements across the local tech scene throughout the past year.

The curators have combined their deep technical knowledge and network of global contacts to assemble world class sessions featuring the best of local and international talent.

The upcoming event will keep Software Engineering at its core with sessions on Hyper Automation, 5G and the Internet of Behaviours before exploring other emerging practices used in Digital Product Delivery.

A practical and informative conference, BelTech is curated by technologists, for technologists and returns this year with the support of Belfast City Council, Expleo, Options and Unosquare.

Tom Gray, Group CTO and Director of Innovation at Kainos and Curator of BelTech 2021 said:

“BelTech has grown and evolved alongside the local tech industry in its eight years of existence to become a trusted source of knowledge, inspiration and innovation. This year we will combine our ongoing focus on Software Engineering with the new theme of Digital Product Delivery. In these sessions, leading technologists will explore how best to create amazing multi-disciplinary teams and deliver value efficiently.”

“From an ecosystem bursting with potential, Northern Ireland’s tech professionals will unite to share practical insights, foster new partnerships and, most importantly, continue to engage and inspire the innovators of tomorrow when we return virtually in June.”

Rebecca Walsh, Design Director at Big Motive and Curator of BelTech 2021 said:

“As a conference curator I am thrilled that BelTech will turn its focus to multi-disciplinary teams and accelerating product delivery after local innovators used these exact practices to support the global response to COVID-19. I look forward to seeing what innovations like this are borne out of BelTech 2021.”

Speaking as joint Curators of BelTech 2021, Senior Leaders at Allstate Jason McBride and Columb Duffy said:

“BelTech has always been a conference which showcases Through Leadership and technology advancement. Each year, it provides the opportunity to hear from local and international speakers, sharing stories of their real-world experiences. We look forward to hearing from the speakers talking about what the next disruptive technology trend could be, new ways of working that are being piloted and what really gets them excited in technology today.”

Brian Craig, Consultant at Liberty IT and Curator of BelTech 2021 said:

“After a year when the world stayed connected only through the powers of digital technology, there is more value than ever in uniting our tech community to share invaluable insights. We technologists are always curious and on the lookout for the next big development, particularly when it comes to emerging technologies. It is great to see BelTech 2021 return with more opportunities to explore latest developments and share ideas with like-minded others.”

To find out more and register for the virtual conference which takes place on June 10 and 11, visit: https://beltech.co/

Queen's Speech 2021: Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Today in Parliament, the Queen laid out the legislative agenda of the government which included the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill. Here’s the rundown on what it covers.

The purpose of the Bill is to:

Implement those aspects of the New Decade, New Approach deal relating to the operation and governance of the Northern Ireland institutions, including:

  • Reforms to the sustainability of the institutions.

  • Updating the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

  • Reform of the Petition of Concern mechanism.

The main benefits of the Bill would be:

  • Delivering greater transparency and improved governance arrangements to maintain public confidence in the Northern Ireland institutions.

  • Ensuring that the institutions in Northern Ireland are more sustainable, resilient and able to continue to function throughout periods of political difficulty.

The main elements of the Bill are:

  • Extending the time allowed for the appointment of Ministers to the Northern Ireland Executive, following an Assembly election or the resignation of the First or Deputy First Ministers, before an election must take place and to allow Ministers to remain in post longer to allow for greater continuity of decision making in the Executive.

  • Reforming the Petition of Concern mechanism used in the Northern Ireland Assembly so that its use is returned to its intended purpose, ensuring that all sections of the community are protected when the Northern Ireland Assembly legislates and preventing one party from blocking measures or business.

  • Updating the Ministerial Code of Conduct with regard to the expectations of the behaviour of Ministers, including provisions around the treatment of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, public appointments and the use of official resources and information management.

Engage properly with businesses ahead of reopening, urges Londonderry Chamber

Dawn McLaughlin, President, Londonderry Chamber

Dawn McLaughlin, President, Londonderry Chamber

Businesses in the North West have called for further clarity from the Executive on reopening ahead of 24 May.

The Londonderry Chamber is urging the Executive to engage properly with businesses over the coming weeks to avoid the situation that many hospitality businesses found themselves when outdoor hospitality reopened recently. At the 11th hour, some businesses had been told that their premises were not Covid-compliant according to the new regulations which permit outdoor eating and drinking.

The Executive has given 24 May as an indicative date for the further reopening of indoor hospitality and tourism as well as relaxations of mixing indoors. Ahead of the Executive’s latest review of the roadmap out of restrictions this Thursday, businesses are pleading for much greater clarity and specificity about exactly what they can and can’t do.

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“Last week’s reopening was an exciting moment for many of our businesses and it’s been a strong first week for traders in the North West. However, it’s important to keep in mind that we aren’t fully open until we’re all open. While we’re pleased for those who have got back to business, we need to bear in mind those businesses who are still unable to reopen and especially those who were told at the very last-minute that they had not met the new Covid regulations.

“Ahead of their latest review of the restrictions this Thursday, it’s vital that the Executive keeps these businesses at the forefront of their thinking. Everything must be done by our ministers to ensure that the indicative date of 24 May becomes a firm and immovable date. Our businesses have been hit hard enough over the past 14 months. Now’s the time for the Executive to give these businesses confidence and optimism for the future and commit to the full reopening of our economy.

“The Executive Office must also give full and detailed clarification on what regulations will govern how our businesses can reopen on 24 May. Everything must be done to avoid the incredibly frustrating situation that too many of our businesses found themselves in last week, particularly those in hospitality who have put in place stringent health and safety measures which protect staff and customers. It’s now up to the Executive to engage extensively with the business community ahead of 24 May and clearly explain what they must do.

“With the successful roll-out of the vaccine programme in Northern Ireland and more and more of our adult population now protected against the virus, there is no good reason or justification to keep our businesses closed past 24 May. The Executive must remain 100% focused on reopening.”

'Time to help those in need,' writes Tearfund NI Director Glen Mitchell in the Belfast News Letter in support of the DEC Coronavirus appeal

A family member looks on as several funeral pyres of patients who died of Covid-19 burn during the mass cremation at Ghazipur cremation ground in New Delhi, India.

A family member looks on as several funeral pyres of patients who died of Covid-19 burn during the mass cremation at Ghazipur cremation ground in New Delhi, India.

Harrowing scenes from India have emanated across the world in the last two weeks as the country cripples under the pressure of soaring Covid-19 cases. It is hard not to feel helpless watching from home as funeral pyres burn around the clock, but there is something that we can do.

No matter the distance, news of hospitals overrun and people strapped to ventilators hours away from running out of oxygen will always be hard to swallow.

As Northern Ireland took strides toward normality in recent days, India descended deeper into catastrophe with a new sombre death toll recorded every day – as I write, it has reached over 226,118 – enough people to fill the SSE Arena in Belfast over 22 times. With the situation showing no signs of easing, it is time for the generosity of the Northern Irish people to support humanitarian aid workers in their fight to prevent thousands more deaths.

Tearfund exists to respond to disasters and tackle extreme poverty. As an international development charity, we work with local partners already on the ground in some of the most vulnerable communities around the world.

As I visited our work in Mumbai in 2007, I saw first-hand how effective our work is in empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty and to support their families. But I also saw just how densely populated urban areas were, and I imagine now how difficult it must be for people to practice social distancing. Many do not have access to clean water, and still others rely on day wages and cannot afford to stay at home.

My colleague, Prince David, who leads our work in India, told me people were in despair. ‘Every time I pick up my phone, I am very fearful,’ he said. ‘Since nine o’clock this morning, I have answered my phone three times to hear that another of my friends has died.’

For this reason, we are supporting the extended DEC Coronavirus appeal for India. Alongside Concern, Save the Children and the Red Cross in Northern Ireland, we have joined with 14 global aid agencies to provide PPE, medical supplies, hygiene kits, food and care packages and logistical support for local families.

Covid-19 is a crisis for everyone, not just for India and the country remains in desperate need of support. The people of Northern Ireland react best in times of crisis and India is crying out for help now.

Together with local teams and partners, our workers are supporting in a way that we can’t achieve from home, but what we can do from here is donate. With the support of the people of Northern Ireland, charities can do even more to pull families out of what is currently a life-or-death situation.

To donate to the DEC Coronavirus appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, phone 0370 60 60 900 or text SUPPORT to 70150 to donate £10.

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 10 May 2021

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Forward Look

  • The DUP Leadership election will take place next Friday at 11am, with only party members who are MLAs and MPs able to vote. Edwin Poots MLA and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP are in the running for Party Leader, with Paula Bradley MLA, Gregory Campbell MP and Paul Frew MLA contesting the Deputy Leader position.

  • Mr. Poots’ DUP leadership manifesto states that, if elected, he will separate the jobs of Leader and First Minister, lead a campaign against the NI Protocol and form a new Ministerial team. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Paul Givan MLA would be appointed First Minister, Paul Frew MLA Economy Minister and Mervyn Storey MLA Education Minister under his leadership.

  • The Queen’s Speech will take place on Tuesday following the State Opening of Parliament. The Times reports that a statutory ban on Troubles’ prosecutions for Northern Ireland veterans and paramilitary organisations will be announced in the Speech.

  • The Executive will conduct a formal review of Covid-19 restrictions next Thursday as part of its third consideration of the Pathway to Recovery document. The indicative date of 24 May given for the reopening of indoor hospitality, tourist attractions and indoor mixing is expected to be considered.

  • Sinn Féin Foyle MLAs, Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan, have announced they will not stand for re-election at next year’s Assembly election.

  • The UK and Irish Governments have agreed to hold a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference next month for the first time since 2019, with discussions to be held on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA has launched a public consultation on proposals for the establishment of a Victims of Crime Commissioner for Northern Ireland and a new three-year draft Victim and Witness Strategy. The Consultation deadline is 29 July 2021. LINK

  • The Economy Committee has heard from Department officials that the High Street Stimulus Scheme is expected to rollout in August 2021, with applicants receiving a £100 pre-paid card which can be spent in all businesses with ‘bricks and mortar’ premises in Northern Ireland this financial year.

  • Belfast Chamber of Commerce have launched their 2021 Business Awards with online entry open until 3 September 2021. The Gala Awards Night will take place on 22 October 2021.

  • The UK Government has announced it will publish its Levelling Up White Paper later this year. This will set out the Government’s proposed policy interventions to recover and grow the economy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • The SDLP has announced the first panel of its New Ireland Commission comprising of civic, faith, community and business leaders. The Commission’s Expert Reference Panel will discuss constitutional change across Ireland. Its inaugural meeting took place on Thursday 6 May.

  • Vicki Hawthorne has been appointed Political Correspondent for UTV.

  • The Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference will take place on Friday 24 September and will focus on the conditions for post-Brexit cooperation.

  • Question Time will take place for the Communities Minister and the Economy Minister on Monday. The Education Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA will brief the Economy Committee on Wednesday on the Economic Recovery Action Plan. The Finance Committee will also meet to receive oral evidence from the Scottish Fiscal Commission on a Fiscal Council for Northern Ireland.

  • The Education Committee will receive an oral briefing on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) from Department officials on Wednesday. Department officials will also brief the Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday on the A5 and York Street Interchange.

  • On Thursday, Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will brief the Health Committee. The Committee will also receive a briefing from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People and the interim Mental Health Champion. The Agriculture Committee will receive an oral briefing from the RaISe on the Climate Change Bill on Thursday.

Other Stories this week

  • The Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election, taking the long-held Labour Westminster seat with a majority of 6,940 votes.

  • Lord Justice Treacy has been appointed as Lord Justice of Appeal Commissioner to the NI Judicial Appointments Commission.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has announced the establishment of a Social Care Fair Work Forum to support and develop NI’s workforce. The body will be tasked with developing proposals to improve terms and conditions and career prospects for social care staff.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has told the Assembly he intends to launch a judicial review against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has launched the Covid-19 Process and Organisational Improvement Grant (POIG) dedicated to helping businesses accelerate the benefits of business technology. The application deadline is Friday 21 May. LINK

  • Irish Minister for Rural Development Heather Humphreys TD has announced an extra €5.5 million in funding for the regeneration of Ulster Canal, following a previous €6 million commitment from the Taoiseach’s Shared Island Fund.

  • The Irish Government has agreed to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol sales from 1 January 2022.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 11 May, State Opening of Parliament

  • 27 May, FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards

  • 1 June, Belfast City Council Meeting

  • 10-11 June, BelTech 2021

  • 1-2 July, EmTech Europe, MIT Technology Review

  • 24 September, Annual Conference, Centre for Cross Border Studies

  • 22 October, 2021 Business Awards, Belfast Chamber of Commerce

Consultations

Hospitality Ulster and Guinness Raising the Bar with Free Contact Tracing Solution

(Back L to R): Mark Mulholland, On Trade Sales Manager, Diageo Northern Ireland with Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster at Ryan’s Bar, Belfast.

(Back L to R): Mark Mulholland, On Trade Sales Manager, Diageo Northern Ireland with Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster at Ryan’s Bar, Belfast.

Working with Hospitality Ulster, the Guinness Raising the Bar programme is offering a free contact tracing app to 1,000 hospitality venues including pubs, hotels and licensed restaurants across Northern Ireland now that outdoor re-opening has commenced.

The Covid Venues App manages and simplifies contact tracing for venues in line with government guidelines and in a way that is GDPR secure. The web app operates primarily through the use of QR codes and takes under 30 seconds for a customer to register their attendance at a venue. All data is stored for 21 days in a secure database before being automatically deleted.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“After such a stressful and uncertain year, the industry is now reopening with outdoors first.”

“The Covid Venues App, funded by the Guinness Raising the Bar programme, is an essential part of the reopening phase and we warmly welcome Diageo making this free to use for a year for 1,000 hospitality businesses.” 

“This is a very simple and straightforward process for hospitality business owners to sign up to and works all devices by providing verification and tracing in a fast and simple manner that is GDPR secure.”

“Once again the hospitality sector stepping up to make sure that everyone in the industry is playing their part in creating a Covid secure environment for people to start to get back out and socialise, grab a pint and have their dinner after months and months of being confined to home.”

Mark Mulholland, On Trade Sales Manager, Diageo Northern Ireland added:

“Diageo is delighted to be able to fund the provision of the Covid Venues App in Northern Ireland through the Guinness Raising the Bar programme. It’s really quick to get your venue registered and we hope that it makes re-opening just a little bit easier in the weeks ahead knowing that all customer details are being securely collected in line with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme.”

The app is free for 12 months from initial sign up. Venues can sign up quickly and easily:

  1. Eligible premises - public houses, hotels and licensed restaurants in Northern Ireland

  2. Make sure your venue is signed up for the Guinness Raising the Bar support campaign, sign up at www.mydiageo.com

  3. Then go to https://diageo.oqlist.co.uk/intro to register your venue on Covid Venues App

  4. Your venue's bespoke QR code package will be created and posted out to you first class

  5. Place QR codes on tables/entrances for customers to scan and register their attendance

The Guinness Raising the Bar fund has been available since June 2020 to assist pubs across the island of Ireland, to safely reopen and welcome back their customers. Any pub that registers with the programme can request a free reopening essentials kit, including 25L of hand sanitiser, serving trays, uniforms and take away cups.