Arlene Foster MLA resigns as First Minister

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  • Arlene Foster MLA announced her resignation in a personal statement to the Assembly today at 12 noon. Mrs Foster’s resignation takes effect from 1pm today. In her final address to the Assembly, Mrs Foster said she has “unfinished business to ensure Northern Ireland succeeds in its new century”.

  • Mrs Foster’s resignation automatically removes Michelle O’Neill MLA from her position as deputy First Minister and Declan Kearney MLA from his position as Junior Minister. Sinn Féin has a seven-day period to re-elect a deputy First Minister and Junior Minister and ratify DUP nominees Paul Givan MLA as First Minister and Gary Middleton MLA as Junior Minister.

  • If Sinn Féin fail to nominate a deputy First Minister before Monday 21 June at 1pm, Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, is legally required to call a snap Assembly election.

  • Over the next seven days, the two parties will engage in negotiations as it has been reported Sinn Féin will seek to secure concessions, such as the implementation of the Irish Language Act as part of the New Decade New Approach deal, before agreeing to enter into government again.

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 14 June

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Forward Look

  • Dr Jayne Brady MBE has been appointed the new Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. An announcement on when Dr Brady will take up her post will be made shortly.

  • Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan has been selected by DUP Leader Edwin Poots MLA as First Minister and is expected to replace Arlene Foster MLA from Monday. Mrs Foster’s resignation will trigger a seven-day period where Sinn Féin must again nominate a deputy First Minister. If appointments are not agreed within seven days, the Secretary of State is legally required to call an Assembly election.

  • In a reshuffle of the DUP’s Stormont Ministerial team, Party Leader Edwin Poots MLA has appointed Paul Frew MLA as Economy Minister, Michelle McIlveen as Education Minister and Gary Middleton MLA as Junior Minister. They are expected to replace Diane Dodds MLA, Peter Weir MLA, and Gordon Lyons MLA respectively from Monday. Mr. Poots will remain as Agriculture Minister.

  • The NI Executive has agreed an indicative date of 21 June for the resumption of live music in venues across Northern Ireland. Subject to approval on 17 June, 10 people from 2 households can meet indoors, and 15 people from any number of households can meet in a private garden, also from 21 June.

  • Following a meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee, the UK Government has not ruled out unilaterally extending the ‘grace period’ on the ban of chilled meats entering NI from GB, set to end on 30 June. European Commission Vice President Maros Šefčovič has said that EU-UK relations are at a “crossroads”, with the UK’s lead Brexit Minister Lord Frost due to brief the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the NI Protocol on Wednesday.

  • Emma Little-Pengelly has announced she will not seek consideration for a Special Adviser role in the DUP once First Minister Arlene Foster MLA steps down.

  • At the G7 Summit this week, US President Joe Biden has warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP to not let issues related to the Northern Ireland Protocol affect the peace process, the President’s National Security Advisor has said.

  • Mervyn Storey MLA has been appointed Chair of the Justice Committee, replacing Paul Givan MLA, with Jonathan Buckley MLA replacing Michelle McIlveen MLA as Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. Gordon Lyons MLA replaces Pam Cameron MLA as Vice-Chair of the Health Committee, with Mrs. Cameron the new Chair of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. DUP Deputy Leader Paula Bradley MLA remains Chair of the Communities Committee.

  • Question Time will take place for the Executive Office and the Health Minister on Monday. The Infrastructure Minister and the Assembly Commission are up for questions on Tuesday. Northern Ireland Questions in Westminster will take place on Wednesday.

  • On Wednesday, the Concurrent Committee of the Executive Office, Finance and Economy Committees will receive a briefing from the Interim Head of the Civil Service on Covid Recovery, followed by a Departmental briefing on the High Street Task Force. The Infrastructure Committee will receive a Briefing from RaISe in relation to the Committee’s inquiry into the Decarbonisation of Road Transport in Northern Ireland. The AERA Committee will receive oral evidence from NI Environment Link and Climate NI on the Climate Change Bill.

  • On Thursday, the Health Committee will receive oral evidence on the Severe Fetal Abortion (Amendment) Bill and will conduct deliberations on the Health and Social Care Bill. The Public Accounts Committee will receive a briefing from the Department for the Economy and Ulster University on the University’s Greater Belfast Development Project.

  • The prestigious technology conference EmTech Europe will take place in Belfast from 1-2 July, and is to be the first in-person business conference to take place in the UK and Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic. To register: LINK

  • Invest NI’s Access to Finance Conference will take place from 24-25 June. Delivered alongside InterTradeIreland and the British Business Bank, the virtual conference explores the practicalities of raising finance for a business. To register: LINK

  • The Independent Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland will publish their final report on fiscal powers in Northern Ireland in May 2022. To view the Commission’s new website: LINK

  • The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have launched the "Growth North West” initiative in collaboration with Invest NI, Derry City and Strabane District Council and others, providing businesses with the skillset, information and advice needed to enter new, international markets. To register: LINK

  • The new GB News channel will launch on Sunday.

Other Stories this week

  • Former rugby international and solicitor Trevor Ringland has been appointed as the UK’s first special envoy to the United States on Northern Ireland.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has said that Northern Ireland is “not yet at the point” where a date can be set for the end of social distancing, the use of face coverings or other public health measures.

  • Jayne McCormack has been appointed BBC News NI Political Correspondent.

  • Mike Nesbitt MLA’s Private Member’s Bill to reform Northern Ireland’s defamation laws had its First Reading this week. The Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has ruled that Paul Givan MLA will be permitted to transfer his Private Member’s Bill, the Severe Fetal Impairment Abortion (Amendment) Bill to another MLA, Belfast Live reports. The Bill is currently at Committee Stage.

  • Gordon Dunne MLA is to step down from the Assembly for health reasons.

  • The Consideration Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill took place this week. Passed amendments to the Bill include the removal of restrictions of bar opening times over Easter and the permitting of alcohol sales at cinemas. The Further Consideration Stage has not yet been scheduled.

  • The interval between doses of Covid-19 vaccines in Northern Ireland is to be reduced to a maximum of eight weeks, the Health Minister has announced. This comes as 80 cases of the Delta variant have been identified in Northern Ireland this week.

  • The SDLP have selected Lillian Seenoi-Barr as the new Foyleside Councillor on the Derry City and Strabane District Council, replacing Mary Durkan.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Northern Ireland local government Mayors, Chairs & Deputies announced for 2021/22

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Northern Ireland’s 11 local councils have appointed their Mayors, Chairs and Deputies for the year 2021/22. Please see below a full list of the incoming First Citizens for the next 12 months.

After holding three mayoralties or chair positions last year, the SDLP will hold none this year. The Alliance Party will look to use its three positions this year, located in and around the Greater Belfast area, to amplify the party’s profile and boost its chances of becoming the country’s second largest party as Northern Ireland heads towards the next Assembly election. The UUP, meanwhile, will be hoping its three positions may also help its fortunes as it seeks to remould itself in the leadership of Doug Beattie and turn around recent poor electoral performances.

Some parties may also be using their First Citizen positions to boost the profile of their elected representatives in the run up to AE2022, with Sinn Féin’s South Down candidate Cllr Cathy Mason selected as Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

  • Antrim and Newtownabbey - Billy Webb (All) / Stephen Ross (DUP)

  • Ards and North Down – Mark Brooks (UUP) / Robert Adair (DUP)

  • Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – Ald Glenn Barr (UUP) / Jackie Donnelly (SF)

  • Belfast City – Kate Nicholl (All) / Ald Tom Haire (DUP)

  • Causeway Coast and Glens – Richard Holmes (UUP) / Ashleen Schenning (SDLP)

  • Derry City and Strabane – Graham Warke (DUP) / Christopher Jackson (SF)

  • Fermanagh and Omagh – Errol Thompson (DUP) / Chris McCaffrey (SF)

  • Lisburn and Castlereagh – Stephen Martin (All) / Tim Mitchell (UUP)

  • Mid and East Antrim – William McCaughey (DUP) / Matthew Armstrong (TUV)

  • Mid Ulster – Paul McClean (DUP) / Christine McFlynn (SDLP)

  • Newry, Mourne and Down – Cathy Mason (SF) / Oonagh Magennis (SF)

Local and international tech talent to unite at BelTech annual conference

CEO of Nextdoor Sarah Friar

CEO of Nextdoor Sarah Friar

BelTech - the tech event that unites the best of local and international talent - will return this week to explore the latest breakthrough advancements in digital technology.

In its eighth annual event, BelTech will examine areas including the capabilities of 5G in developing Belfast’s Smart District, the use of AI to reduce GDPR risk and how the COVID-19 response was accelerated by digital innovations created in Belfast.

The two-day conference will feature a range of industry leaders including CEO of popular neighbourhood app Nextdoor Sarah Friar, Privacy and Public Policy Manager at Facebook USA Adam Bargroff and Co-Founder of Derry social prescribing company Elemental Leeann Monk-Özgül.

A conference created by technologists for technologists, curators from Kainos, Allstate NI, Big Motive and Liberty IT have put together a dynamic two-day programme that reflects how the changing landscape of technology has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will encourage practitioners to exchange insights and practical experiences while also highlighting the achievements across local industry in the past year when it broadcasts this Thursday and Friday.

Following its traditional deep-dive into Software Engineering, BelTech will explore a new theme of Digital Product Delivery, with sessions on ‘Surfing the Cyber Innovation Waves’ and ‘Can you build a tech company when you’re not techy?’

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council, the conference will bring together practitioners and business leaders to engage with the next generation of professionals and inspire a new wave of innovation.

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

“We are thrilled to be returning for our eighth year with a dynamic programme that is sure to inspire a fresh wave of innovation. After a year of isolation and independent working, it is more important than ever that we unite our practitioners and leaders from the worlds of business and technology to share insights and explore new innovations.”

“Under the themes of Software Engineering and Digital Product Delivery we will hear from industry leaders in some of the most disruptive areas of technology such as 5G, Hyper Automation and Distributed Cloud. Although we will be virtual, BelTech will showcase the successes borne out of local industry in the last year before examining the possibilities that lie ahead for the tech ecosystem of Belfast and beyond.”

CEO of Nextdoor and Keynote Speaker Sarah Friar said:

“It is great to be returning virtually to Belfast to speak at BelTech, a conference known for inspiring an explosion of activity among the local tech community. A tech city very much in its prime, Belfast is bursting with potential that I hope will shine through when we come together this week. As tech companies navigate the challenges of the global pandemic, it is vital that we foster new working relationships and work to inspire the next generation of technologists and I look forward to seeing what developments like this flow from BelTech 2021.”

Director of Technology and Services at Invest Northern Ireland George McKinney said:

“The local tech industry has proven its experience, capacity and capability throughout the past number of years to become an asset that we are proud to leverage on the world stage. For this reason, it is no surprise to see the very best of local and international talent join the programme at BelTech 2021. Given the pace of technological advancement in recent years, much of which has been accelerated by the global pandemic, it is fantastic to be supporting a conference that will unite technologists as they share their latest research and discoveries.”

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

Returning to Belfast for BelTech 2021

Tim Beattie, Global Head of Product for Red Hat Open Innovation Labs.

Tim Beattie, Global Head of Product for Red Hat Open Innovation Labs.

A tech city with its eye on the future and bubbling with entrepreneurial promise, achieving global success in the industry no longer means leaving Belfast, writes Tim Beattie, Global Head of Product for Red Hat Open Innovation Labs.

Almost three decades since I left my home in Holywood Co. Down to pursue a career in IT and Computing, I have watched Belfast evolve from a city crippled by conflict to one of the UK’s fastest growing tech hubs.

It is true that Belfast and the wider landscape of Northern Ireland was a different place then to what it is today. The tech sector was almost unheard of, certainly a far cry from the huge economic contributor it is to the region today, yet the local accent is now a familiar one right across the industry.

Leading the team at Red Hat Open Innovation Labs, I work to combine the human aspects of people and their cultures into technology. Taking a collaborative and community-driven approach to software development, we provide training services and subscriptions to ensure applications are not only technologically sound but deliver real business outcomes to customers.

But be it open source innovation, cybersecurity or an emerging area like 5G or the Internet of Things, the common factor for achieving success is being able to learn from others, share stories and collaborate to inspire new innovations.

As we emerge from a turbulent 18 months that forced organisations to pivot in response to the pandemic, the companies that commit to uniting with competitors and exploring ways to apply a product mindset to underlying technologies will be the ones we see accelerating in the future.

Where collaboration starts, business relationships follow, and we see people bringing different angles, products and levels of expertise to the innovations at the forefront of society.

For these reasons, returning virtually to my hometown of Belfast to support BelTech 2021 was an opportunity I grasped with both hands. A conference that unites practitioners and leaders from the worlds of technology and business, BelTech is very much in line with our open source culture.

Having grown up in Northern Ireland, I have watched from a distance as start-ups got off the ground and large players invested in a city bursting with so much potential. Nowadays, myself and my colleagues partner with Belfast companies small and large as the city’s reputation for innovation becomes recognised right across the wider industry.

While I have always looked for an opportunity to reconnect with Belfast, returning to deliver the keynote at BelTech 2021 will be the catalyst for fresh conversations and business relationships with the city I have watched thrive.

To find out more about BelTech 2021 visit: www.beltech.co

DUP announces new Assembly and Executive team

DUP Leader Edwin Poots MLA has today announced his Ministerial Cabinet. An expected reshuffle of Committee positions was also confirmed.

The roles of First Minister and Junior Minister are subject to a seven-day period of negotiation.

The new team , which takes effect from next week, is as follows:

Ministerial

First Minister- Paul Givan MLA

Junior Minister - Gary Middleton MLA

Economy Minister- Paul Frew MLA

Education Minister - Michelle McIlveen MLA

Edwin Poots MLA will remain in his position as Agriculture Minister

Committee Chairs

Justice - Mervyn Storey MLA

Communities - Paula Bradley MLA (remaining)

Infrastructure - Jonathan Buckley MLA

Assembly & Executive Review - Pam Cameron MLA

Deputy Committee Chairs

Health - Gordon Lyons MLA

Finance - Keith Buchanan MLA

Infrastructure - David Hilditch MLA

Audit - William Irwin MLA

Standards & Privileges - Christopher Stalford MLA

Procedures - Tom Buchanan MLA

Previous Announcements

Chief Whip - Joanne Bunting MLA

Assistant Chief Whips - Trevor Clarke MLA, William Humphrey MLA

DUP Chief of Staff - Jonathan Buckley MLA

New Lord Mayor of Belfast names HIV Charity Positive Life as Charity of the Year

The new Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl has named HIV charity Positive Life as the first of her mayoral Charities of the Year.

The Lord Mayor welcomed Positive Life chief executive Jacquie Richardson to Belfast City Hall in one of her first engagements since taking office.

A long-standing supporter of the local HIV charity throughout her time as a Belfast city councillor, Kate Nicholl has led calls for the stigma around HIV to be challenged and was instrumental in the lighting of Belfast City Hall in red to mark World AIDS Day last December.

Lord Mayor Nicholl is set to work with the HIV support charity throughout the year, volunteering and engaging with some of the people impacted by the condition.

According to the latest figures from 2019, the number of new HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland declined to 52 new cases, down from 80 in 2018. Among factors contributing to the decrease has been the work of Positive Life in awareness raising and the availability of the PrEP drug.

Positive Life is the only charity in Northern Ireland dedicated to supporting people living with and affected by HIV. First established as the AIDS Telephone Helpline in 1986, its range of services have expanded to include counselling, one-to-one and group support sessions, and information workshops.  

The charity was recently awarded £200,000 in new funding by The National Lottery Community Fund to support families with young children affected by HIV.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl said:

“Positive Life is a charity I have been working with over a number of years. In this time, I have seen them make real and meaningful difference to individuals, families and communities in Belfast.”

“There is still a lot of work to do in addressing stigma and perceptions of HIV. Breaking down this stigma requires visibility. I hope that in my time in office I can demonstrate to people living across our city affected by HIV that they have the Lord Mayor of Belfast supporting them.”

“Belfast is a modern, diverse and welcoming city. Working with Positive Life, I hope to promote it as a place for all to call home regardless of background or individual circumstances.”

Chief Executive of Positive Life, Jacquie Richardson said:

“We are honoured to be chosen as a mayoral Charity of the Year. Having Kate as Lord Mayor re-invigorates efforts right across the city to fight the stigma associated with HIV. We have seen some very encouraging numbers in relation to the decrease of new diagnoses which is something we hope to see continue with such a strong supporter of our services now in office.”

“Kate was absolutely instrumental to getting Belfast City Hall lit-up red for World AIDS Day last December which was a hugely symbolic gesture representing to people affected by HIV that Belfast, their city, stands with them.”

“It has been a difficult year for people impacted by HIV who have seen access to services severely restricted through lockdowns and felt a continuing sense of vulnerability.”

“HIV is still a highly stigmatised condition in Northern Ireland. Even before the Covid pandemic, many service users of Positive Life had felt rejected from society due to their status. Many remain unnecessarily reliant on welfare payments and are unable to find employment; they face difficulty in accessing services; and are unable to lead fulfilling lives, due to crippling prejudice.”

“As a mayoral charity we will do all we can to use this opportunity to raise awareness and campaign on behalf of our inspiring service users.”

EmTech Europe to host first in-person business conference in Belfast since pandemic

(Left to Right): Co-Founders of BionNTech Dr Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci will join Chief Executive of Carbo Capture, Henrietta Moon at EmTech Europe on 1-2 July.

(Left to Right): Co-Founders of BionNTech Dr Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci will join Chief Executive of Carbo Capture, Henrietta Moon at EmTech Europe on 1-2 July.

EmTech Europe, one of the world’s most prestigious technology conferences, is to be the first in-person business conference to happen across the UK and Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic.

Held in Titanic Belfast, EmTech Europe will host 100 guests on 1 and 2 July while also being streamed online to a guest audience of tech leaders from across Europe.

Conference organisers Aisling Events have teamed up with Titanic Belfast to hold the conference in one of the city’s great landmarks.

A convergence of technology, business and culture, EmTech Europe will bring together the most brilliant minds the continent has to offer to examine cutting-edge technologies in areas including Artificial Intelligence, Biomedicine, Cybersecurity, FinTech, Inclusion, and Global-Scale technology.

EmTech Europe organisers have stressed that the two-day event will be safety led with all health and safety mitigations and risk assessments in place, in line with government guidance and Titanic Belfast’s stringent COVID policies.

Siobhan Lynch, Director of Operations at Titanic Belfast said:

“We were delighted to successfully reopen our visitor attraction last week with our Covid safety measures and Customer Confidence Charter in place. We will apply the same level of care and attention to our conference and banqueting offering as we begin to rebuild this part of our business and are delighted to welcome the EmTech Europe conference in July ensuring a world class, safe and memorable experience for our conference guests.”

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Director of Aisling Events said:

“It is fantastic to see EmTech Europe as the first in-person live event in Belfast and indeed across these islands. As our city begins to open up again, it is exciting to see events such as conferences return. We look forward to welcoming back audiences and to enjoying those real-life connections that are important to events like EmTech Europe.”

“This would not be possible without Titanic Belfast and we thank all those who will be playing their part in ensuring EmTech Europe is the first successful conference to happen in as safe an environment as possible.”

“This opportunity has not happened overnight, and an enormous amount of work has gone in to ensure that the health and safety of all attendees is our main priority. We will be consistently monitoring the Covid-19 situation in the lead up to the conference in early July and will ensure all appropriate measures are in place so all involved are safe and comfortable at the event.”

“EmTech Europe is a huge chance for Belfast to showcase its status as one of Europe’s thriving tech cities. With world-class speakers lined-up including the Co-Founders of BioNTech and Moderna, the conference will be looking outwardly at how technology will assist and bolster our recovery post-pandemic. Being able to host the conference in-person is yet another example of our city grasping an opportunity to step forward in a new, post-pandemic world.”

EmTech Europe is supported by Belfast City Council and Invest NI and will take place in July 2021 before returning to Belfast in 2022 and 2023.

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 7 June 2021

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Forward Look

  • DUP Leader Edwin Poots MLA has appointed Joanne Bunting MLA as the Party’s Chief Whip and Jonathan Buckley MLA will be Mr Poots’ Chief of Staff. Trevor Clarke MLA and William Humphrey MLA have been appointed Assistant Chief Whips.

  • Deputy Party Leader Paula Bradley MLA and Michelle McIlveen MLA will take on official roles related to the welfare of elected representatives. Mr Poots has stated he will announce his ministerial team “when ready” but has said Arlene Foster MLA will lead as First Minister at the British-Irish Council meeting on Friday, indicating he will not announce his team before this date.

  • Lord Frost and Maros Šefčovič are meeting on Wednesday to discuss the NI Protocol.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA has launched the ‘Trade and Investment for a 10X Economy: Priorities for Northern Ireland’s Inward investment, Trade and Exports’. The report outlines the priorities and ambitions that will shape NI’s approach to trade and investment: LINK.

  • The Department of Education has published a report and action plan titled ‘A Fair Start’, which examines the links between educational underachievement and socio-economic background. The report is part of the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ deal: LINK.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA launched a recruitment campaign to appoint five Non-Executive Members to the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company. The appointments will be effective from 1 October 2021, with terms ranging from three to five years.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA published a report titled ‘Planning for the Future of Transport – Time for Change’. The report outlines the Department’s priorities for the future of transport: LINK.

  • Economy Minister Diane Dodds MLA introduced a Bill to the Assembly legislating for statutory Parent Bereavement Leave and Pay, allowing those who have suffered the loss of a child statutory entitlement to two weeks’ leave and, in majority of cases, working parents will be entitled to a statutory payment.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced £72.3m will be given in “top up grants” to businesses that were allowed to remain open but did not qualify for support during the most recent lockdown period.

  • The Pension Schemes Bill passed the Final Stage in the Assembly on Tuesday and is awaiting Royal Assent. Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong’s Private Members Integrated Education Bill passed the First Stage in the Assembly. The Second Stage is yet to be scheduled.

  • The Consideration Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill will take place on Tuesday.

  • On Monday, the Education and Economy Ministers will face the Assembly for Question Time. The Finance Minister is up for questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, the Infrastructure Committee will receive a briefing from RaISe regarding a Committee Inquiry into the Decarbonisation of Road Transport in NI. The Executive Office Committee will receive a briefing on departmental spending plans from departmental officials and receive Oral Evidence on Covid recovery from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. The Finance Committee will receive Oral Evidence from the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council. The Economy Committee will receive a briefing from Belfast Met and the Hospitality and Tourism Skills Network.

  • On Thursday, the DAERA Committee will hear Oral Evidence on the Climate Change Bill. The Communities Committee will receive briefings from CO3 and NICVA on post Covid-19 recovery. The Justice Committee will have an Oral Evidence session on Protection from Stalking Bill and the Damages (Return on Investment) Bill. The Health Committee will receive Oral Evidence on the SFIA Bill and will hold deliberations on the HSC Bill.

  • The British-Irish Council will meet in Fermanagh on Friday.

  • The UK Parliament returns from recess on Monday.

 Other Stories this week

  • Kate Nicholl officially took office as Lord Mayor of Belfast on Tuesday.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA launched the Small Capital Grants Programme. The £950,000 fund, delivered by Co-operation Ireland will provide support to the voluntary and community sectors for purchasing equipment to enhance and sustain the activities and services they offer.

  • Following a Covid recovery summit between Boris Johnson and the First Ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the UK government has said it is “open-minded” on extending the furlough scheme.

  • The Executive is due to receive legal advice on the DUP’s boycott of the North-South Ministerial Councils meetings, as requested by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA. The DUP again failed to attend a sectoral meeting on languages this week.

  • Independent unionist and MLA for East Londonderry Claire Sugden, turned down UUP Leader Doug Beattie’s request to join the Party.

  • Matthew Hall was appointed CEO of Belfast City Airport.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced an extension to the term of the Chair of the Public Health Agency, Mr Andrew Dougal, from 1 June 2021 to 30 November 2021.

  • Pharmaceutical company Almac has announced it will create 100 new highly skilled jobs at a new base in the North West. It has also been reported that US-based fintech company Fiserv will create more than 200 new jobs in Derry as it plans to set up a new office at Ebrington Square in the city.

  • Bangor company, Denroy, has been awarded a £19.5m PPE contract with Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland. The new contract will create 130 jobs. Invest NI has offered the company £1.5m of support towards 130 jobs.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Northern Ireland Protocol Update: 04.06.2021

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  • This morning RTE’s Tony Connelly has reported that the EU is growing pessimistic about the prospects of a breakthrough on how the NI Protocol will be implemented. Figures have told him that the meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee will be a showdown over the UK’s continued sniping against the Protocol. Full article: HERE

  • Senior British government sources have told RTE that technical discussions around the Protocol have resulted in definite progress on just two of the 30 areas of disagreement. Full story: HERE

  • EU Commission Vice President Maros Defcovic rejected an accusation that the EU is using NI to punish the UK over Brexit. This comment came after DUP leader Edwin Poots said that NI was being used as a “plaything” on Andrew Marr on Sunday.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots announced his decided to stop travel checks on pets required by NI Protocol. Full statement: HERE

  • Department for the Economy is carrying out work on the “potential attractiveness” of the NI Protocol to inward investors. The details are contained in an outline trade and investment strategy produced by the department.

  • Lord Frost met several business and community representatives throughout the week in Northern Ireland. After these meetings he called on the EU to show common sense.

  • SDLP delegation led by Colum Eastwood MP met with Lord Forst. Speaking after the meeting Claire Hanna MP called for Lord Frost to look to the opportunities of dual market access.

  • Brandon Lewis MP and Lord Frost wrote an Editorial piece in the Belfast Telegraph on the Protocol on Thursday. In the article there was a slight softening as both admitted they have seen the “possibilities and problems in recent weeks”. Full article: HERE

  • The DUP did not nominate a minister to attend a NSMC Language meeting on Wednesday. Minister Hargey announced on Wednesday night that she will be seeking legal advice on the matter.

  • DUP leader Edwin Poots alongside Paul Givan MLA met the Taoiseach on Thursday. The protocol and a possible veterinary agreement between the UK and EU were discussed.

  • Campaign to fund NI Protocol Judicial Review has raised just over a third of its £150,000 target. The fundraiser was launched at the end of last month with the aim of £150,00 in 30 days. That deadline was extended by another 30 days on Friday after donations reached £61,325.

  • Former US Ambassador to the EU Anthony Gardner said that President Biden must clarify to the UK the importance the US places on the Good Friday Agreement and the Protocol before the G7 Summit.