Londonderry Chamber welcomes latest Executive Covid relaxations

Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin

Reacting to the Executive’s announcement that further relaxations can go ahead from Monday 24 May, Londonderry Chamber President Dawn McLaughlin said:

“It’s good news that the Executive has rubber stamped its decision from last week and paved the way for the further reopening of the economy from Monday. We have been consistent in our message that we aren’t fully open until we’re all open. The high street and city centre businesses are reliant on each other to thrive so it is great news that indoor hospitality and other indoor businesses like cinemas will be allowed to reopen. We can now begin to look towards the busy summer period and our economic recovery.

“However, there remains some ambiguity and grey areas within the hospitality industry over what is exactly required of them to reopen, especially in the absence of any published regulations or guidelines yet. It’s important that the relevant authorities take a lenient and educational approach which supports our hospitality businesses and doesn’t punish them any further, especially as many of them have invested time and money in making their premises Covid-secure.”

“These latest relaxations coupled with the continued success of the vaccine programme, which has been expanded even further today, bring a real sense of optimism and positivity for the coming weeks and months. Businesses are excited to reopen and welcome back customers and we would urge people to stay, shop and support local as they get back out and about. It’s also crucial that we continue to follow the basics of mask wearing, hand washing, good ventilation, and social distancing to keep cases down and ensure the economy isn’t restricted again.”  

North West engineering firm bolsters global position with $13m US investment creating 200 jobs

E+I Engineering’s existing factory in Anderson, South Carolina.

North West company E+I Engineering is to accelerate its existing US operations with a $13 million expansion plan that will create 200 new jobs.

A global leader in electrical switchgear production, the company’s pioneering work to create unique in-house power solutions takes a major leap forward with this latest US expansion move.

Founded in 1986, E+I Engineering designs, manufactures and sells electrical power distribution products across plants in Derry, Donegal, the United Arab Emirates and the recently expanded facility in South Carolina.

The largest electrical switchgear manufacturer in the UK & Ireland, its products service large infrastructure projects such as data centres, banks, airports, arenas and hospitals.

The acceleration of production facilities in South Carolina will increase capacity to meet growing US demand and facilitate additional modular power solutions, providing a complete data center power distribution system in an increasingly efficient manner.

Headquartered in Burnfoot Co. Donegal, the firm has over 2,000 employees globally and trades with over 32 countries.

South Carolina’s Department of Commerce contributed a $350,000 Set-Aside grant to assist with site preparation and building construction. 

The expansion, which added an additional 100,000 square ft to the existing 230,000 square ft site, is nearing completion and will be followed by further growth across the island of Ireland as E+I Engineering steps up all aspects of its operations off the back of recent success.

E+I Engineering Managing Director Philip O’Doherty said:

“The E+I Engineering team is thrilled to announce the creation of 200 new jobs at our U.S. plant in Anderson, South Carolina. This investment marks an acceleration in our presence in North America which is testament to both growing demand for our products and the skilled workforce in the area.”

“From our establishment in the North West over 35 years ago, E+I Engineering has seen continued strength in our overseas operations, particularly in North America. We have adapted our hiring plans to reflect our commitment to meeting customer demand in the region. This is a competitive industry, and we strive to be ahead of the game by creating high-quality, skilled jobs and providing the most professional leadership.”

Public Inquiries and learning the lessons of the pandemic by Matthew Howse, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland as appeared in the Irish News

Matthew Howse, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that an independent public inquiry into the handling of the Covid pandemic will be held in Spring 2022. Local parties like the SDLP and People Before Profit have already been calling for one in Northern Ireland while First Minister Arlene Foster has recently indicated that there will be an inquiry locally. The Prime Minister has also confirmed that the devolved governments across the UK will be consulted on this inquiry.

While the Prime Minister’s announcement is welcome, it raises significant questions, particularly about the inquiry’s terms of reference, a specific timescale, whether it will be judge-led, and how it will involve or interact with the devolved regions. So how might an inquiry take place?

At the outset of the pandemic there was close coordination between all parts of the UK. However, since May 2020, there have been significant policy differences, with each nation adopting its own plans for easing restrictions, reopening parts of the economy, and implementing lockdowns during the second wave of the virus.

Many key aspects of the response to the pandemic relate to devolved matters like health, education, social care, and emergency services. However, there have been a number of crucial UK-wide initiatives during the pandemic including the Joint Action Plan, a scheme to secure PPE, and the purchase and delivery of vaccines. Any inquiry, however, into the handling of the pandemic in a devolved nation is likely to involve consideration of both devolved and reserved matters.

The Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”) is the legislation under which public inquiries are commonly established. Such inquiries are powerful beasts in holding decision makers to account and can compel attendance. However, UK government ministers could not set up a UK-wide statutory public inquiry into issues relating to the pandemic which requires it to investigate devolved matters without, at the very least, consultation with the devolved administrations, and arguably their consent. 

Could the devolved administrations hold an inquiry which investigates all aspects of the response to the pandemic which occurred within their relevant jurisdictions? An inquiry established by a devolved administration may take evidence on reserved matters, if the inquiry considers that it is relevant to the terms of reference. However, crucially, it cannot compel that evidence, unless it relates to matters which are wholly or primarily devolved matters.

How, then, could a single UK inquiry investigate what happened without the consent of the devolved administrations? While there is nothing to prevent independent inquiries from coming to different conclusions and making different recommendations as to what measures should be implemented as a result, the benefits of such an outcome are questionable and could undermine public confidence.

Section 32 of the Act, however, enables two or more ministers to assume responsibility for an inquiry, including ministers from more than one administration. However, this has only happened once in 2008 between the UK and Scottish governments, and there has been no indication to date that such an inquiry will be established.

There will be advantages and challenges to either approach, i.e. having a joint inquiry or four separate inquiries. In any event, inquiries into the response to the pandemic are likely to involve unprecedented challenges for the relevant administrations, and those practising in the field of public inquiries, alike.

Filmmaker launches virtual reality film to shine light on impact of mental abuse and coercive control

(Left to Right): Maire McGrath, Mental Abuse Matters, Professor Paul Moore, Future Screens NI, and Lucy Baxter, Mental Abuse Matters and film creator.

A filmmaker has launched a Virtual Reality (VR) film to raise awareness of the impact of mental abuse and coercive control on victims.

Lucy Baxter, director of domestic abuse charity Mental Abuse Matters and a Film Practice lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast is using Mental Abuse Matters as her PhD subject.

The VR film shows the hard-hitting and traumatic impact of mental abuse on the victim, through an immersive film experience. The project was funded by Future Screens NI and is now being developed into a wider business idea through a Tech Start funded customer discovery process with Qubis.

The pioneering VR film, which depicts a woman who is being mentally abused by her partner, will be used for training those who come into contact with abuse victims, to enable greater understanding of the victim’s experience.

It is hoped that the film will help raise greater awareness of the impact of mental abuse and coercive control and can be used by those working in health and social care and the criminal justice systems.

Director of Mental Abuse Matters, Lucy Baxter said:

“Mental abuse and coercive control are lesser known but very real forms of domestic abuse. The abuse can gradually wear down a person’s sense of independence and they may become accustomed to an atmosphere of dread and trepidation, always living in fear that they might unintentionally aggravate an abusive partner. It happens to people of all genders and backgrounds.

“The difficulty with mental abuse is that no one outside the relationship can see the damage that it is causing, because there are no physical signs like bruises or broken bones. The trauma for victims however is very real and terrifying.

“My aim is to encourage greater understanding and empathy for victims of mental abuse. Using Virtual Reality software, we can create an experience for the user that will allow them to place themselves in the shoes of the victim and get a sense of what they are feeling. This will give those who support abuse victims, first-hand knowledge of what it feels like to be in their position.”

Professor Paul Moore from Future Screens NI said:

“Coercive control and mental abuse are not often discussed or understood by many people in society. Only in recent years have we become more aware of coercive control as a form of domestic abuse, and it is still hard for many to fully understand the impact on victims because they cannot see physical signs of its impact.

“Future Screens NI is thrilled to be able to fund innovative projects like the Mental Abuse Matters Virtual Reality film because it shows how film-making can be used in the most innovative ways to educate people about the impact of issues that are challenging to articulate beyond direct experience.   

“The ‘walking on eggshells’ analogy is said all too often, but this immersive film by Lucy allows us that first-hand experience of what that feels like to be a victim. We hope that by funding this important project, it becomes an important training tool in educating professionals about the very real and long-lasting damage that mental abuse causes.”

High-profile Washington D.C. lawyer appointed Chair of prestigious Ireland-US transatlantic program in a series of new Board appointments

(L-R) Susan Hoffman, Chair of the Washington Ireland Program, Charles John O’Byrne, Vice-Chair of the Washington Ireland Program, Amy Dacey, Board Member of the Washington Ireland Program and Rachel Powell, Board Member of the Washington Ireland Program

High-profile Washington D.C. lawyer appointed Chair of prestigious Ireland-US transatlantic program in a series of new Board appointments

The immediate Past President of the DC Bar, Susan Hoffman, has been named as the new Chair of the Washington Ireland Program, with several other high-profile figures also joining the Program’s Board.

A partner at an eminent Washington D.C. law firm, Ms. Hoffman will lead the Program’s Executive team alongside new Vice-Chair, Charles John O’Byrne, Executive Vice President for Policy for one of America’s largest private real-estate developers. A prominent legal figure in Washington D.C., Ms. Hoffman specializes in human rights issues affecting women and children.

Since 1995, the Washington Ireland Program has provided over 750 participants the opportunity to work in the likes of the US Congress and Senate, high profile companies and major advocacy organizations. The 6-month program sees young leaders from across Ireland and Northern Ireland engage in conversations with global leaders across a wide variety of sectors and take part in a renowned leadership development curriculum.

Ms. Hoffman will lead the Board’s delivery of its mission to develop, support and engage leaders who can build constructive relationships between communities across the island of Ireland. Notable Program alums include the Tánaiste and former Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD and prominent Stormont representatives including Chris Lyttle MLA and Claire Sugden MLA.

The WIP Class of 2021 will see over 100 students participate in a hybrid program of virtual and in-person activities including work placements, speaker sessions and meetings with senior US leaders in Dublin and Belfast. Over 400 young people will also take part in the 2021 Forums where they will tackle the major questions facing Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Leading women in American politics and former CEOs of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Amy Dacey and Jess O’Connell, have been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Program.  Belfast-based Women’s Sector Lobbyist, Rachel Powell also joins the Program’s Board responsible for overseeing WIP’s work in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and America. Catherine May, General Counsel for Bank of America Europe, and John McCarthy, General Counsel for US investment firm Wicklow Capital, also joins the prestigious leadership team.

CEO of a D.C. Lobbying firm, B.R. McConnon III will step down as WIP Chair, with Carmel Martin leaving the Board to take up her position in the White House Administration. Jen O’Malley Dillon, President Biden’s Campaign Manager will also leave the Board as recently appointed White House Deputy Chief of Staff.

Chair of the Washington Ireland Program, Susan Hoffman, has said:

“As a long-time supporter, Board member and ‘Host Mom’, I am thrilled to be appointed Chair of the Washington Ireland Program. In recent years, I have seen first-hand the impact the Program has on young people and their futures. Its outstanding professional, personal and leadership development curriculum continues to produce the next generation of change-makers in Ireland and Northern Ireland who are determined to build a future of peace and prosperity.”

“In my legal career, I have always sought to promote accessibility into the legal profession and support the next generation. The 2021 WIP Class will develop over 100 emerging leaders from across the island in the most unique, diverse program to date and, at this challenging time, I am very proud to support the Program’s important and exciting work.”

“I would like to thank outgoing Board Chair, B.R. McConnon III, and Vice Chair, Carmel Martin, for their hard work and commitment to the Program. The new Board appointments include exciting, forward-looking women at the top of their legal and political fields. I look forward to working with new Vice-Chair, Charles John O’Byrne, the new Board and the wider WIP community as we continue to grow the Program in years to come.”

New Vice-Chair of the Washington Ireland Program, Charles John O’Byrne, has said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed Vice-Chair of the Washington Ireland Program. I am very proud to support the remarkable work the Program continues to do in developing Northern Ireland and Ireland’s young leaders. Susan shares my full commitment to the Program and its values, and I look forward to working with her and the new Board as we look to the bright future of WIP.”

Executive Director of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University, former CEO of the DNC, and Washington Ireland Program Board Member, Amy Dacey, has said:

“I am delighted to be joining the Washington Ireland Program Board. Inclusion and accessibility into politics is crucial, and WIP continues to broaden opportunity to young people from all backgrounds with the 2021 Class its most unique and diverse to date. There are lessons to be learnt from Irish, Northern Irish and American history, and I look forward to the chance to meet Program participants and hear their views on how we progress in the years to come.”

Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program, Bryan Patten, added:

“We are very pleased to announce our new Board Chair, Vice Chair and new Board appointments today. As Board members, Susan, and Charles John’s dedication to the WIP’s success has been invaluable in the continued growth of the Program. They will lead a prestigious team at the top of their respective professions across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and America including leading women such as Amy. I look forward to working with the new Board as we look forward to welcoming the exciting WIP Class of 2021 later this year.”

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

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

• 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

• Inquiry into the Experience of Minority Ethnic and Migrant People in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Deadline 21 May 2021.

• Consultation on proposals to include teachers in fair employment legislation Chris Lyttle MLA, Alliance. Deadline 10 June 2021.

• Consultation on review of the Northern Ireland Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan Department for the Economy. Deadline 25 June 2021.

• Consultation on Legal Aid for Mediation in Non-Family Civil Cases Department of Justice. Deadline 29 June 2021.

• Consultation on policy options for the new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. Deadline 30 June 2021.

• Consultation on proposal to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Deadline 8 July 2021.

• Consultation on pre-school education admissions criteria Department of Education. Deadline 12 July 2021.

• Consultation on improving the experience of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system Department of Justice. Deadline 29 July 2021.

• Consultation on a Statutory Duty of Candour and Being Open Framework Department of Health. Deadline 2 August 2021.

Londonderry Chamber welcomes Executive announcement on relaxations

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.

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

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.

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/