Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 2 August 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive will today publish the Building Forward – Consolidated Covid Recovery Plan to accelerate economic, health and societal recovery through 83 “highly impactful interventions”, delivered over a two-year period.

  • The Covid-19 regulations will change from 6pm today to allow a reduction in social distancing requirements to a one metre minimum in retail settings and the expansion of live music to other indoor venues, such as hotel function rooms. Those entering NI from the US or EU (excluding France) who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate from Monday.

  • Registrations for the High Street Stimulus Scheme will open to the public in September after it was officially launched by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA. Delivered by Prepaid Financial Services (PFS), everyone aged 18 and over will receive a pre-paid card worth £100 to spend on their local high street.

  • Plans for the Casement Park stadium project in west Belfast will now proceed after the development, which is estimated to cost upwards of £110m, was granted planning approval by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA.

  • Regional vaccination centres will cease administering first doses from Saturday. The community pharmacy vaccination service has expanded to include the Moderna vaccine this week and will scale up this service in August. Community pharmacies are expected to lead the first dose vaccination programme throughout the autumn, according to the Department of Health.

  • Some 120 surgeries, including a number of cancer procedures, have been cancelled due to Covid-19 pressures in the Belfast Trust.

  • The Office for Budget Responsibility will present an economic and fiscal forecast commissioned by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 27 October. Dates of the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will be announced in due course.

  • Voting for the High Street Heroes NI initiative led by Retail NI closes today, Friday 30 July. To vote: LINK.

  • The Kennedy Summer School festival of Irish and American history, culture and politics will take place in New Ross on 3-4 September. Find out more: LINK.

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Launch and Symposium will broadcast live from Stormont on 2 September. Register: LINK.

  • Incoming chief executive officer of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Tony McKeown, will take up his position in August, replacing Colm Shannon.

  • Secretary General to the Government and Taoiseach Martin Fraser will replace Adrian O’Neill as Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK next year, while Geraldine Byrne-Nason will become the US Ambassador. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney will present plans for Ireland’s biggest missions to Cabinet on Tuesday.

  • The Belfast News Letter is recruiting for the roles of Editor and Political Editor.

Other Stories this week

  • A cross-party House of Lords Committee report has urged both the UK and EU to compromise to ensure Northern Ireland does not become a “permanent casualty of the Brexit process”.

  • A Department of Health Consultation on a Duty of Candour for NI has been extended from 2 August to 31 August. View the consultation: LINK.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA has launched a consultation on Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project (BRT2) to expand the Glider to North and South Belfast. View the consultation: LINK.

  • SDLP Finance Spokesperson Matthew O’Toole MLA has submitted proposals for a public service recruitment and development programme titled the ‘Make Change Programme’.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has launched a consultation on proposals to mandate Changing Places Toilet Provision in buildings commonly used by the public. View the consultation: LINK.

  • Belfast Engineering Consultant ARUP has been appointed to take forward the All Island Strategic Rail Review to improve sustainable connectivity and enhance regional accessibility to the North West.

  • Former Irish senator Ian Marshall has joined the Ulster Unionist Party and is expected to run in next May’s Assembly election.

  • Alyson Kilpatrick has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission. She takes up the post on 1 September.

  • Neil Collins has been appointed Managing Director of Wrightbus.

  • The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking a Northern Ireland Governor to the British Film Institute. Find out more: LINK.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 19 August, Green Recovery Forum, Institute of Directors

  • 1 September, Belfast City Council Meeting

  • 5 September, Northern Ireland Assembly returns from Summer Recess

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

Consultations

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 26 July 2021

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Forward Look

  • Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP this week announced major changes to the UK Government’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government is seeking renegotiation with the EU in the coming weeks to remove the burden on trade of goods while managing the risks to the EU Single Market, ensure that businesses and consumers in NI can access goods from the rest of the UK, and normalise the governance basis of the Protocol. The full approach can be read HERE.

  • The Executive agreed that from Monday 26 July no appointment will be necessary to avail of close contact services and that 15 people from unlimited households will be able to meet in an outdoor domestic setting.

  • On Monday the Executive will meet to consider reopening theatres and concert halls, easing the use of face masks in places of worship and schools, the resumption of extra-curricular activities in schools and the normalisation of MOT testing. They will also meet on Thursday to discuss the return of conferences, exhibitions and live music and reducing social distancing to one meter indoors.

  • Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 digital vaccination certificate app is expected to be ready from Monday. The digital certificate will allow people to show they are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes.

  • The Government has announced plans to protect online shoppers from rip-offs and fake reviews as part of a new consultation on reforming competition and consumer policy. It said that people behind bogus online ratings will be targeted by new rules that make it automatically illegal to pay someone to write or host a fake review. The government will also change the law to ensure pre-payment schemes safeguard customers money.

  • Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP issued a direction to the Health Department, Health Minister, the Health and Social Care Board and to the First and deputy First Minister to commission abortion services before 31 March 2022. Full statement can be read HERE.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced that Covid-19 mass vaccination centres will be stood down from 31 July. The announcement came when it was revealed that 82% of the Northern Irish population have received a first dose, while only 56% of those aged 18-29 have received a dose.

  • The Adoption and Children Bill, which will enhance and update the legal framework for adoption in Northern Ireland, will be introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly following summer recess.

  • On Thursday, the Government published its Innovation Strategy entitled ‘Leading the future by creating it’. The strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global hub for innovation by 2035. The strategy can be read HERE.

  • James Toolan has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Department of International Trade in Northern Ireland. An office for the Department is being established in Belfast over the coming weeks.

  • The Northern Ireland Office published its Outcome Delivery Plan for 2021/22. The report outlines the key priorities of the Secretary of State and details of how the Department will deliver these before the end of 2022. The report can be read HERE.

  • A Stormont party leaders’ forum that was scheduled for Monday was postponed amid disagreements over which party would chair the meeting . The Irish News has reported that it will be rescheduled to take place later this month.

  • Covid-19 booster jabs will be rolled out in Northern Ireland to the over-50s and people with underlying health conditions by September. Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride confirmed that he has provided interim advice on the delivery of a third dose in the autumn.

  • The European Commission has announced plans to ban cryptocurrency anonymity in an anti-money laundering plan. The proposals introduced by financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness would “improve the detection of suspicious transactions and activities’ through the establishment of an anti-money laundering authority in the coming months.

  • Queens University Belfast is seeking to appoint a Director of Public Engagement. Applications close on 9 August. Further information can be accessed HERE.

  • The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce’s 63rd President’s Annual Dinner will take place on Friday 8 October 2021 in the Everglades Hotel, Derry. The event will feature a keynote speech from RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly. To book: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The Assembly was recalled on Tuesday to discuss the Government’s legacy proposals. A motion condemning the proposals was passed by an oral vote.

  • The Social Mobility Commission has published its annual State of the Nation report. It outlined that social mobility in Northern Ireland has been hampered by Stormont’s three-year stalemate, Brexit, and the pandemic. The report can be read HERE.

  • SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood MP has called on the Irish Government to establish a citizens’ assembly to discuss Ireland’s constitutional future. He told the Irish News that ‘planning for the possibility of a border poll needs to go further.’

  • Following advice from JCVI, the Department of Health announced the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should be offered to children aged 12-15 with underlying health conditions, children who live with someone who is immunocompromised, and those within 3 months of their 18th birthday.

  • The DUP has selected Peter Johnson to fill the vacancy in the Hollywood and Clandeboye electoral area of Ards and North Down Borough Council. The vacancy arose following Stephen Dunne’s co-option to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  • Sinn Fein has announced that Emma McGinley has been selected to replace Tina Burke in the Moor DEA on Derry City and Strabane District Council.

  • £42.4m was awarded to Smart Nano NI by the UK Research and Innovation’s Strenghth in Places Fund to help develop new technology for medical devices, communication and data storage.

  • Marks and Spencer have warned that it is already cutting Christmas products in Northern Ireland due to concerns over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Hospitality Ulster calls on NI Executive to recognise that current restrictions and isolation policy are still impacting the viability of hospitality businesses ahead of meeting this week.

Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill

Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, Colin Neill

Hospitality Ulster has called on the NI Executive to recognise that the current restrictions and isolation policy are still impacting the viability of hospitality businesses, and to be definitive in it decision making when it meets tomorrow to give the sector certainty.

The organisation has warned that current Covid restrictions, plus the isolation policy, are making many businesses like non-food pubs, nightclubs and music venues, unviable. It adds that reduced capacity and table service, coupled with the isolation policy is creating havoc, causing some establishments to close unnecessarily, without any support available.

Hospitality Ulster is pressing the Executive to work in partnership with the industry to find a way forward for the removal of restrictions or step in and provide support until restrictions can be removed. It has also said that there needs to be urgent introduction of a ‘test to remain at work’ system for fully vaccinated staff, and a ‘test to release’ process for partly vaccinated staff, so that whole teams don’t have to isolate, as increased numbers of hospitality businesses have been forced to close if one member of staff tests positive.

Currently, the isolation method means that some establishments have been hugely understaffed or have been forced to close as they abide by the guidelines. No financial support is available for those businesses that have had to suffer from this which needs to change, says Hospitality Ulster. The body has stated previously that there are significant recruitment challenges in the sector anyway, without needlessly taking out staff.

Rules around table service and social distancing mean that non-food serving pubs are still struggling to regain any viable trade due to the numbers they can accommodate at any one time, and table service is placing unsustainable pressures on staff. The organisation says that the lack of progression in the reopening phases have held the hospitality sector in the same situation since early June and has severely curtailed trade to the point that many are finding that being open is increasingly unviable. Whilst music venues are unable to operate properly, nightclubs are still legally required to remain closed with no financial support.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

“As a responsible industry are not seeking the freedom day style lifting of everything as witnessed in England earlier this week, but we definitely need to progress the alleviation of the current restrictions which are having a massive impact on the viability of many hospitality businesses.”

“Eighteen months in, we now know a lot more about the spread of the virus, but are still using the same restrictions. We really need to sit down with the health officials and explore all the options to provide a Covid secure environment whilst allowing businesses to operate a viable business model, as well as the rules around close contact and isolating, as it is forcing large parts of staff teams or even whole teams to isolate.”

“We need government to enter into a real partnership with us, to understand the impact of the restrictions and the isolation policy. We recognise they have the health experts but we have the hospitality experts and surely a cooperative approach will deliver better results, rather than just imposing restrictions from above. This is a far more responsive approach and could provide responsible solutions to the problems being experienced by the entire sector who want to be open and serving their local customers.”

“If this does not happen, then we require the NI Executive to urgently bring forward financial support to offset the losses on businesses that are made unviable by the restrictions and forced closures. Once furlough ends, businesses will be unable to pay staff that are isolating or when premises are forced to close.”

“How else are we going to get round this? If we are forced to continue with what we are doing now, this is going to get extremely worrying for the future sustainability of hundreds of businesses. In effect, the current government policies are crippling the hospitality sector right now by not understanding or appropriately assessing what is actually going out there.”

“The hospitality industry is probably the only sector where restrictions are impacting the actual viability of the businesses, and, as such, deserves the specific focus of the Executive and the departments. It cannot be left to wither on the vine.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 19 July 2021

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Forward Look

  • Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis MP has set out the UK Government’s plans to bring forward legislation addressing the legacy of the Troubles. A statute of limitations will be introduced banning all Troubles-related prosecutions, alongside a new independent body to enable family members to seek information on deaths and injuries incurred during the conflict.

  • Stormont party leaders will meet the NI Secretary today. The SDLP has proposed a recall of the Assembly from Summer recess to address the legacy proposals, with the petition expected to reach the 30 signatures required to recall MLAs.

  • Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination certificate is expected to be obtainable from Monday. Available digitally or in paper form, the certificate will allow people to show they are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes.

  • Brexit Minister Lord Frost will present new proposals on the Northern Ireland Protocol to Parliament before the Summer recess begins next Friday. Lord Frost said this week that increased cross-border trade as a consequence of the Protocol is “in many ways a problem”.

  • Speaking in the House of Commons, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has set out the party’s seven tests for supporting a replacement to the Protocol. This includes a role for Northern Irish citizens in any regulations impacting them and no new regulatory barriers between GB-NI unless agreed by the Assembly.

  • G20 Finance Ministers have endorsed a plan to introduce a global minimum tax rate and change the tax liabilities of large multinational companies. The reform is expected to be finalised at an OECD summit in October. The Irish Examiner has reported this week that Ireland is set to abandon its long-held 12.5% corporate tax rate in fear of having a global ‘pariah’ status.

  • Quarantine rules for fully-vaccinated people returning to Northern Ireland from amber-list countries will be eased from Monday.

  • The Irish Times has reported that a growing number of Fianna Fáil TDs believe Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD will not lead the party into the next general election. The party received less than 5% of first-preference votes in the Dublin Bay South by-election last week, won by Labour’s Ivana Bacik TD.

  • The EU has announced its 12-point plan to tackle climate change with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan includes proposals to ban the sale of petrol and diesel powered cars within 20 years and increase taxes on jet fuel.

  • The Irish Government has announced plans to strengthen the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 following a review of the operation of lobbying regulations. The changes will mainly concern ex-ministers or politicians who leave office and take up private lobbying positions.

  • The Financial Conduct Authority has announced it will establish an office in Belfast by the end of 2021.

  • The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce’s 63rd President’s Annual Dinner will take place on Friday, 8 October 2021 in the Everglades Hotel, Derry. The event will feature a keynote speech from RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly. To book: LINK.

  • A documentary by Cypress Avenue Films and Fine Point Films about the rise of Portaferry musician Ryan McMullan will debut at the 33rd Galway Film Festival on Saturday. For tickets: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The DUP’s Richard Bullick has been reappointed as Special Adviser to the First Minister following a four-year absence.

  • Suzanne Lynch announced she will soon be leaving her role as Washington Correspondent for the Irish Times and will join Politico Europe.

  • AIB has announced it will close eight of its Northern Ireland branches in November.

  • Walk-in vaccine clinics have been opened across Northern Ireland in an effort to increase Covid-19 vaccine take-up among young people aged over 18. Over 1,000 new Covid-19 cases were reported yesterday, the highest number in a 24-hour period since January.

  • An independent review has urged the UK Government to levy a £3 billion sugar and salt tax to tackle obesity and climate change. The National Food Strategy states that consumption of High Fat Salt and Sugar (HFSS) foods must fall by 25% in the next 10 years and that healthy eating initiatives be extended.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Litigation trends in the post-Covid world by Matthew Howse , Partner, Eversheds Sutherland

As originally appeared in the Irish News on Tuesday 13 July 2021

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Back in March 2020, the pandemic brought a halt to all but the most urgent legal proceedings in the Northern Irish courts. Courts had to close, and our legal system went into a period of hibernation as Covid cases spiralled out of control. In a spirit of corporate goodwill and with government guidance advising businesses to avoid litigation as the pandemic raged, organisations and parties opted to negotiate rather than litigate.

The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, the judiciary, and legal practitioners all made sterling efforts to keep the wheels of justice turning during the difficult months of 2020 and on into 2021 but the progress of cases through the courts during that period undoubtedly slowed.

As is to be expected, not every negotiation has been successful or resulted in an agreed outcome. With a raft of contractual, insurance and other legal disputes still unresolved, parties are beginning to go down the litigation route again. As economies across these islands and further afield begin to emerge from lockdown, it seems likely that we could be in for a post-pandemic spike in litigation cases, with parties increasingly looking to the courts again to get disputes dealt with.

Put simply, litigation happens when the terms of a contract are breached, or a corporate or legal relationship has broken down. As the pandemic took hold last year, this was common, with suppliers unable to complete orders or one party unable to fulfil their contractual obligations to another. While some organisations will have undoubtedly been motivated by altruism in steering clear of litigation, it’s more likely that legal action was just too much of a hassle for many.

The UK Government took important legislative steps in March 2020 to protect people and organisations from the pandemic including protecting companies from their creditors, temporarily removing the threat of personal liability for wrongful trading by directors, and tightening up laws around banning the termination of contracts for supply of goods and service by reason of insolvency.

However, these protections are not permanent. While parties should continue to engage in good faith with the intention of finding an agreed outcome, and the use of alternative dispute resolution methods is perhaps more important than ever, they should be aware that recourse to the courts is again a practical option.

With the pandemic subsiding and the vaccine programme continuing apace in Northern Ireland, affected parties are starting to look more favourably at litigation again as a means to resolve their grievances.

By way of example, the music festival industry across the UK has recently called on the government to put in place a comprehensive compensation and liability cover scheme which would protect event organisers if they were unable to go ahead. Large festivals are naturally reluctant to commit to booking acts and enter into contractual agreements with businesses in the wider supply chain if there is a plausible risk that their event cannot go ahead, knowing they would end up in a legal battle.

With lockdown unwinding, organisations and individuals should remain mindful of their contractual and legal obligations. Maintaining meaningful and open dialogue with opposite parties can help avoid legal action but, for many affected parties, litigation is becoming more and more of an attractive option to finally resolve their grievance.

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 12 July 2021

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Forward Look

  • DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has appointed Gordon Lyons MLA as Economy Minister, replacing Paul Frew MLA. Mr Donaldson has said he will conduct “a more fundamental reshuffle of posts in September”.

  • The Executive announced an indicative date of 26 July for relaxations including a reduced legal requirement for social distancing, face coverings during acts of worship are recommended in guidance but not legislation, the return of live music with no restriction to volume levels in concert halls and theatres, the return of conferences and exhibitions with audiences allowed in seated venues, up to ten people from three households can meet indoors and up to 15 people from any number of households can mix in gardens. Regarding international travel, arrivals from amber list countries who have been fully vaccinated in the UK, do not need to self-isolate.

  • The Assembly has risen for summer recess and will return on Monday 6 September.

  • The Irish News has reported that former DUP press officer Cllr Deborah Erskine has emerged as the favourite to take Arlene Foster’s Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat when she steps down later this month. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has stated there “isn’t a path” for him to become an MLA, thus he will continue to lead the Party from Westminster for the time being but has reiterated his intention to become First Minister.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has announced a new policy which will see mandatory scoring of social value within public procurement contracts. The policy comes into effect from March 2022 and applies to service contracts valued above £123,000 and construction contracts valued above £4.7m.

  • An independent industry-led body called the Makers Alliance has been established to drive a strategic development of Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing sector.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA introduced a Private Tenancies Bill in the Assembly, which will improve protections for individuals renting in the private sector. The Organ and Tissue (Deemed Consent) Bill, which will create opt out organ donation legislation, also had its First Stage.

  • The Irish Government’s Budget will be held on Thursday 12 October.

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has launched a Fellowship programme to support, develop and build the capacity of 24 mid-career leaders in a range of sectors across Northern Ireland.

  • CMO Dr Michael McBride has warned that worst-case Covid modelling shows that Northern Ireland could have 3,000 – 8,000 new cases per day and 400 hospitalisations per day by the end of the summer.

  • The UK Government will publish its plans for the future of the NI Protocol before it rises for summer recess in two weeks.

  • The Climate Change (No.2) Bill, sponsored by DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA, passed its First Stage in the Assembly. The Bill will have its Second Stage following summer recess. Clare Bailey MLA’s alternative Climate Change Bill is currently at Committee Stage.

Other Stories this week

  • Army veteran and ex-DUP Derry and Strabane Councillor Ryan McCready has joined the UUP.

  • Áine Murphy has replaced Seán Lynch as Sinn Féin MLA in the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, following Mr Lynch’s retirement.

  • Sinn Féin Councillors Tina Burke and Aileen Mellon are expected to stand down from Derry and Strabane Council, with new representatives being co-opted to their positions.

  • Lord Frost will appear in front of The Executive Office Committee today to discuss the NI Protocol.

  • According to RTÉ, voter turnout for the Dublin Bay South by-election was around 40%. Vote counting starts this morning with the result expected this weekend.

  • Sam McBride announced he will soon be leaving his role as Politics Editor at the Newsletter and will be the Northern Ireland Editor for the Belfast Telegraph and the Sunday Independent.

  • Taoiseach Michael Martin TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD announced €40m for a North-South Research programme, provided through the Shared Island Fund.

  • The Local Government (Meetings and Performance) Bill passed its Final Stage this week and will receive Royal Assent in due course.

  • The Integrated Education Bill, brought to the Assembly by Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong, passed its Second Stage.

  • DUP MLA and Chair of the Autism APG Pam Cameron’s Autism (Amendment) Bill had its First Reading in the Assembly.

  • Belfast City Council has agreed Sunday trading hours for larger stores will return to those of pre-Covid times in September.

  • The Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee published its report on Citizenship and passport processes relating to Northern Ireland: LINK.

  • UUP Councillor Robert Burgess has been appointed as the President for NILGA for 2021-22.

Upcoming key political and business events

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

  • 8 October, Londonderry Chamber President’s Dinner, Everglades Hotel, Derry

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

Consultations

Community Pharmacy teams well-placed to deliver Covid-19 booster vaccine as they hit 100,000 vaccine milestone

Community pharmacist Lesa McLoughlin, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene and community pharmacist, David McCrea at Dundela Pharmacy mark 100,000 vaccines administered.

Community pharmacist Lesa McLoughlin, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene and community pharmacist, David McCrea at Dundela Pharmacy mark 100,000 vaccines administered.

The community pharmacy network in Northern Ireland has administered over 100,000 Covid-19 vaccines since taking up the vaccine programme in late March.

As focus now turns to the booster programme, Community Pharmacy NI are calling on the Department of Health to expand the provision of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in local pharmacies when the booster vaccine is rolled-out in the autumn.

With more vaccine options becoming available in Northern Ireland, local community pharmacies are keen to play a bigger role in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine programme with pharmacies able to vaccinate all age-cohorts. This will allow for other vaccinators to shift focus to other aspects of healthcare, and for community pharmacists to become the central vaccinating team within primary care.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Bringing community pharmacy into the Covid-19 vaccination programme has hugely enhanced access to the vaccine within local communities throughout Northern Ireland. Patients have had the option to receive their vaccine locally at a convenient location and from a health care professional, that they know and trust. The feedback we have been receiving is that patients really welcome the vaccine being available from pharmacies and that is incredible endorsement for the service. I would like the thank our community pharmacy teams for the rapid and professional manner in which the service has been rolled out, whilst running alongside the delivery of existing community pharmacy services.

“As attention moves to the booster vaccine, pharmacy is ideally placed to play an integral role in the roll-out of the programme to all patient groups. Community pharmacists have displayed real flexibility and clinical skill in the efficient manner of which they have administered the vaccine so far. This can be replicated across all age cohorts, and we urge the Department of Health to consider community pharmacy as the first-choice vaccine provider, allowing other health services to focus on healthcare provision for those most unwell and vulnerable.

Community Pharmacist, David McCrea, said:

“It has been great to be able to vaccinate our own patients and the familiar faces that we see every day, helping to protect both them and their families against Covid-19. Since the roll-out began, patients have commented on how easy it is to get the vaccine at their local pharmacy. Looking towards the autumn, we want to play a bigger role in the vaccine booster programme and from the initial success of our vaccination programme, it is clear our teams are agile, capable and professional in providing the vaccine to our communities. It only makes sense for this programme to be expanded to all ages when the range and supply of vaccines is greater and for the winter flu vaccine to also be provided through community pharmacies.

“We are also pleased to be able to offer the vaccine as it means we are able to support our patients who we know well, addressing any concerns they have and delivering a booster service ensures we can continue to provide this important level of care.”

To find your closest vaccinating community pharmacy: https://covid-19.hscni.net/community-pharmacy-covid-19-vaccination-service/

Ryan McMullan: Debut to have World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh

Ryan McMullan: Debut will have its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on 24 July

Ryan McMullan: Debut will have its World Premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on 24 July

An exciting new music documentary about singer songwriter Ryan McMullan will have its World Premiere at the 33rd Galway Film Fleadh.

Ryan McMullan: Debut will be shown to a live audience in Galway on 24 July followed by a Q&A with the star himself and film director Brendan Byrne.

Ryan McMullan: Debut is a BBC Northern Ireland and YellowMoon funded film produced by Fine Point Films and Cyprus Avenue films. The documentary follows the up-and-coming singer songwriter as he prepared for the release of his debut album.

The film centres around a 4-day recording and listening session in Cruit Island, County Donegal at the end of 2019, where Ryan and his team assess all the songs competing for a place on the album.

Against this majestic landscape, we get to know the film’s key players – the film’s principal, Ryan McMullan, his artist/mentor Foy Vance and manager/drummer Paul ‘Hammy’ Hamilton. Threaded throughout is the back story of how Ryan has reached this point, including footage from his support tours with Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol.

Singer-songwriter and star of the film, Ryan McMullan said:

“I grew up watching music documentaries every weekend with my friends, dreaming about being an act or artist that has a documentary made about them. I never thought in a million years that it would become a reality.”

“What began as a daunting opportunity ended up being one of the most fascinating projects I’ve been involved with so far. I am very flattered and honored to be involved in this film and I hope everyone enjoys it. Warts and all.”

Creative Director of Cyprus Avenue Films and Director of Ryan McMullan: Debut, Brendan J. Byrne added:

“This film grew out of my own passion for music. When I first heard one of Ryan’s songs, I loved it and knew he was going to be Northern Ireland’s next major singer-songwriter. Mainly, this film is a study of talent and dedication, about one following their dream wherever it may take you.”

The team behind the film have been documenting Ryan’s career for the best part of four years.

Andrew Tully, Producer for Fine Point Films added:

“Ryan and his team have worked tirelessly to get to this point in his career and we’ve been privileged to have been on hand to document a large portion of that.  Their work ethic and love for their own craft has been infectious. We are excited for what the future holds for Ryan.”

Allstate NI offers cyber safety training for older adults

Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI Keith Lippert

Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI Keith Lippert

Allstate NI is offering free cyber safety training sessions to protect older consumers from online scams.

The interactive sessions, which cover everything from fraud and identity protection to email and telephone scams, will help those over 60 navigate the internet with confidence.

The community initiative comes after it was revealed that over £6 million was lost to scams in Northern Ireland in 2020.

The virtual sessions will cover general cybersecurity awareness, fraud, identity theft, and email and telephone scams and will equip attendees with the tools to protect their passwords and privacy settings.

Technologists at Allstate developed the initiative following the success of its Cyber Safety for Kids scheme, a training programme that has reached over 11,000 children globally since launching in Northern Ireland in 2018.

Like the award-winning kids programme, the training for older adults will be delivered across Northern Ireland, the U.S and India to protect as many people as possible.

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate Jeff Wright said:

“Cybercrime is on the rise and hackers are getting smarter. There is no doubt that all of us are at risk, however older members of society are a growing target for cybercriminals. That’s why we are reaching out to local communities and offering free, online training sessions to ensure more people have the knowledge and awareness to stop cybercrime in its tracks.”

Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI Keith Lippert said:

“COVID-19 forced everyone online and more people are using the internet for tasks that require sharing sensitive information. In these sessions, Allstate cybersecurity professionals will talk about the most common scams and how to avoid falling victim to them. Individuals are encouraged to ask questions and get tips that will best protect them and their assets.”

Superintendent Gerard Pollock, Police Service of Northern Ireland said:

“I welcome any initiatives which advise and educate people on how they can avoid falling victim to scams and encourage anyone who has been a victim to report it to police on the non-emergency telephone number 101.”

Virtual sessions are available throughout the summer:

  • Tuesday, July 27, 10-11 a.m. GMT

  • Thursday, August 5, 12-1 p.m. GMT

  • Tuesday August 24, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. GMT

Click here to sign up for the training sessions. To learn more about group bookings, email allstatecybersafety@allstate.com.

For further advice and information relating to scams, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni.

Centre for Democracy and Peace Building launches new Fellowship Programme for mid-career Political and Civic Leaders

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board with John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI and Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board launching a new Fellowship Programme for Mid-career Political and Civic Leaders here.

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board with John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI and Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board launching a new Fellowship Programme for Mid-career Political and Civic Leaders here.

The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has today launched a prestigious new Fellowship programme to support, develop and build the capacity of 24 mid-career leaders in civic society, business, and politics in Northern Ireland.

Opening for applications today, the programme aims to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that the current and future cadres of political and civic leaders in Northern Ireland are best placed to lead into the next decade and navigate through complexity and challenges.

The Fellowship is delivered by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB), working with key stakeholders and facilitators from the business sector and leading academic institutions. The programme is supported by Allstate NI, Devenish, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, Ulster Carpets, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In discussions with leading policymakers, academics, business leaders and public figures, Fellows will engage with global social, political and economic issues and seek to develop their understanding of how to tackle those issues in Northern Ireland. This includes a conversation with former NI Assembly Speaker Lord Alderdice on conflict, complexity, and cooperation and engagement with renowned Irish poet Pádraig Ó Tuama and award-winning Turkish-British novelist and women’s rights activist Elif Shafak, set to discuss global divisions. The programme’s Advisory Board, which includes prominent Northern Irish business leaders, will curate sessions seeking to re-imagine leadership in Northern Ireland.

The chosen participants will study at the internationally renowned Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. The School’s Dean, Professor Ngaire Woods, who specialises in international governance and was awarded a CBE for services to Higher Education and Public Policy in 2018, will lead participants through discussions on strategic communications in polarised contexts with application for both here and abroad.

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Through collaboration with leading academics and practitioners such as Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at Blavatnik and a former Constitution Director at the UK Government, Ciaran Martin, the Fellowship will help our civic, business, and political leaders deliver better outcomes for the communities and organisations they serve.

Those interested can complete the Fellowship application form at http://fellowship.democracyandpeace.org/ where they will be asked to upload their CV and a short essay.

The Fellowship’s Advisory Board includes:

  • John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI (Chair)

  • Professor Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University (Vice-Chair).

  • Darragh McCarthy, CEO, FinTrU;

  • Owen Brennan, Chairman, Devenish;

  • Deepa Mann-Kler, CEO, Neon and Visiting Professor, Ulster University;

  • David Clements, Managing Director, Fujitsu NI;

  • Nick Coburn, Managing Director, Ulster Carpets.

John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI and Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“I am thrilled to be launching the Fellowship today, a brilliant initiative which promises to give our political and civic leaders the knowledge, skills and relationships they require to lead Northern Ireland into the next decade. The chosen 24 candidates will engage in a bespoke programme of academic, leadership and communication development working alongside the UK and Ireland’s brightest minds in a range of fields. I look forward to working with Karise and the wider Advisory Board over the coming months as we work to implement the first of many successful Fellowship programmes in Northern Ireland.”

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“Since its establishment in 1998, the Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended many times. Governance arrangements here continue to be fragile, and supporting our political, civic and business leaders has never been more important. The Fellowship programme offers participants the opportunity to engage with leading public figures and University of Oxford academics, to help them deliver better outcomes for the people they serve or the organisation they are a part of. Successful applicants will take part in an excellent programme giving them the confidence and ability they require to address Northern Ireland’s economic, social and political challenges going forward. I am very proud to be supporting this fantastic programme alongside my colleagues in the Advisory Board, and I would encourage all those eligible to apply soon.”