New charity chief warns local sector is under extreme strain in absence of functioning Executive

Valerie McConville, Chief Executive, CO3

The new Chief Executive of a leading charity and voluntary sector membership organisation has warned that the ongoing absence of a full functioning Executive is placing the sector under extreme strain.

Valerie McConville was speaking after being appointed Chief Executive of CO3, the organisation which represents charity and voluntary sector leaders in Northern Ireland. Ms McConville joins from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, where she was Head of Membership and Business Development since 2017 and has significant experience leading and growing a membership organisation.

She has warned that the sustainability of the local charity sector is threatened by the ongoing absence of the full Executive after the resignation of the First Minister. In particular, concerns over the match funding of the European Social Fund is putting several groups and the services they provide across Northern Ireland at significant risk.

Speaking after her appointment, new CO3 CEO Valerie McConville said:

“I am very pleased and excited to be joining the CO3 team and look forward to representing charities and voluntary organisations from across Northern Ireland. The local third sector does fantastic work across the country, providing key services for thousands of our people, often some of the most vulnerable and in need people in our communities. I will work tirelessly to represent these organisations and their issues, especially as we come out the other side of the pandemic.

“However, I am under no illusions as to the challenges facing our charities and voluntary organisations right now. After two years of firefighting due to the pandemic, our third sector groups are stretched to the limit, with resources and reserves severely depleted. While the Northern Ireland Executive, in particular the Department for Communities, have provided important funding during Covid through schemes like the Covid-19 Charities Fund which have helped the sector stay afloat, it is simply not enough.

“Continued uncertainty over the future of Stormont is also deeply concerning. The current confusion over whether ministers can sign off significant match funding for the European Social Fund is causing anxieties for our members who are reliant on this funding to provide the key services they do. While we acknowledge that the Finance and Communities Ministers have been engaged in ways to resolve the issue, much more needs to be done, and quickly, to give our members the confidence and assurances they need.

“Ahead of the Assembly Election, CO3 will be engaging with all parties and candidates to ensure the value of charities is recognised and the sustainability of the sector is prioritised.”

Allstate NI launches new graduate development programme

Tom Cuthbertson, Graduate Full Stack Developer at Allstate NI, Robyn Thompson, Graduate XP Engineer and Aude Quine, Graduate Application Developer at Allstate NI pictured with Vice President and Managing Director of Allstate NI John Healy OBE.

Allstate Northern Ireland has unveiled a three-year graduate development programme offering 50 new roles, with plans for at least 100 graduate positions this year.

The Graduate Mobility & Early Career Development programme will take recruits on a journey of continuous professional development within the technology giant, which is one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers.

The programme has opportunities in development, cybersecurity, machine learning, artificial intelligence, production support, testing and data. Every new graduate will be given the opportunity for advancement within the company.

The announcement comes after over 100 roles for students, interns and placement students were created in 2021. Those who joined Allstate as graduates in 2021 will automatically be placed on the new programme.

Some 50 positions are currently live across Allstate’s operations in Belfast and Derry. The company offers a flexible hybrid working policy, allowing employees to design a work schedule appropriate for their needs.

The current IT graduate opportunities at Allstate NI are available here.

Vice President and Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland, John Healy, said:

“Northern Ireland produces highly skilled and capable graduates who would be an asset to any workforce. At Allstate, we are thrilled to be investing further in the next generation of technologists with the Graduate Mobility & Early Career Development programme.”

“We are in an exciting time as technology continues to evolve and develop at pace. With continuous professional development built into our graduate programme, we hope to see individuals from all backgrounds join us at Allstate.” Allstate Northern Ireland has unveiled a three-year graduate development programme offering 50 new roles, with plans for at least 100 graduate positions this year.

'New approach to public sector procurement vital for new Executive' by Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit - Belfast, Lockton Companies LLP

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 22 February

Nigel Birney, Head of Trade Credit - Belfast, Lockton Companies LLP

The NI Executive’s recently published draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland lays out the framework for the approach to multi-billion-pound investment for infrastructure projects including new roads, schools, hospitals, social housing, and public transport. During the decade between 2011 and 2021, nearly £15bn was invested in large scale capital build projects, a huge boost to our wider economy, and the new strategy promises to be bigger again.

As the new strategy is launched, local construction companies, builders, manufacturers, engineers, and other vital parts of the construction supply chain will be licking their lips at the proposed levels of public sector investment which will be flowing into our economy over the coming years – as long as there’s a new Executive in place to sign it off, of course.

This will be a real shot in the arm for firms here as we exit the pandemic and look to rebuild and recover after the impact of the past two years. Northern Ireland is filled with talented and innovative companies which are capable and willing to undertake these large and very valuable public sector contracts.

It emerged recently that officials from the Department of Finance are liaising with counterparts in the Cabinet Office regarding a Procurement Reform Bill, aimed at ensuring greater transparency for Northern Ireland’s procurement system. While the specific details of the bill are still unclear at this stage, it’s welcome to see moves being made to strengthen the procurement system and ensure greater value for money for taxpayers. The bill, however, should also give the public sector bodies and procurers more power to scrutinise further down the supply chain.

While, in the past, those lead contactors which government departments procure to provide goods and services may pass all necessary health checks, there is little or no scrutiny of those further down the supply chain where a financially weak key sub-contractor may be employed by the lead contractor in a major public construction project.

Verification of the financial integrity of all companies involved in such projects ought to be of the highest importance to procurement departments going forward in order to protect the many sub-contractors from financial ruin should they not get paid due to their contractual principal going bust.

Supply chains are always at risk of bad debt and a weak local economy puts businesses in further danger. Having a risk mitigation instrument such as Trade Credit Insurance in place can act as a safety barrier between business or project failure. As well as underwriting your trade receivables, the market intelligence available from Credit Insurance underwriters will keep you informed about the financial health of your customers and will flag when their credit worthiness deteriorates or improves which allows you to make safer and more informed business decisions.

Without wanting to dampen the optimism as we make our way out of the pandemic, it’s important to urge caution and remind businesses and procurers alike to remain guarded. There are, undoubtedly, weaknesses in our economy right now like rising material costs, rising energy costs, rising labour costs, a labour shortage, and inflation. Some insolvency experts are also warning that we should brace for a wave of business failures in the coming months.

Ensuring your suppliers, customers, and clients are financially sound gives you and your business the confidence it needs to thrive. As large public contracts come to the market over the coming months, strong credit risk management policies will be vital in ensuring success.

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 21 February 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The SDLP will hold its virtual Party Conference at the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy on Sunday.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has confirmed that the proposed three-year Budget cannot be brought to the Assembly and must be approved by the full Executive. The Budget consultation has been paused.

  • At the Finance Committee, Department of Finance Officials stated that they are hopeful that a Budget Bill for 2022-23 will be passed during the next Assembly mandate or by Westminster.

  • Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to members to inform them that there isn’t enough time for four Private Members’ Bills to be progressed. These include the Trade Union and Labour Relations Bill and the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banned Weekly Working Hours) Bill.

  • The Invest NI Independent Review led by Sir Michael Lyons will be published in September 2022.

  • The EU UK Joint Committee will meet next week to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • It is expected that the DUP will attempt to use the Petition of Concern to block the passage of the Integrated Education Bill. Jim Allister MLA and Rosemary Barton MLA are expected to also sign the petition.

  • The Irish Times has reported that President Joe Biden is to visit Ireland this summer.

  • The Interparliamentary Forum will have its first initial meeting next Friday in the House of Lords to discuss how it will operate.

  • Queen’s University Belfast will host a Leaders’ Lectures Series ahead of the Assembly election. More information can be found here: LINK

  • The Budget Bill will have its First Stage in the Assembly on Monday.

  • The Autism (Amendment) Bill will have its Further Consideration Stage on Wednesday.

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

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a Departmental briefing on proposed city deals.

  • NILGA will hold a free hybrid conference on the Future of Regeneration in Northern Ireland on 15 March. To register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • Mark Parkinson has been named as the interim Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

  • Sinn Féin’s Caoimhin McCann is to replace Councillor Stephen Magennis on Belfast City Council for the Colin DEA.

  • The Irish Government has published a new lobbying bill which will extend the definition of lobbying to bring more business representative bodies and business coalitions within the scope of lobbying legislation.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA announced he will establish a Regional Trauma Network to better support victims and survivors.

  • The Autism (Amendment) Bill, the School Age Bill and the Adoption and Children Bill passed their Consideration Stages at the Assembly.

  • Figures have shown that imports and exports between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland doubled during the first year of Brexit.

  • An opinion poll by the Institute for Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool found that Sinn Féin are still on track to be the largest party after the Assembly election.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 20 February, SDLP Conference, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy

  • 23 February, In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 25 February, Women in Tech Conference, Titanic Belfast

  • 3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry

  • 5 March, Alliance Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 9 March, Post-Brexit Conference: Sustaining and Building Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade, Newry and Dundalk Chamber

  • 9 March, CIPR Women in Politics Breakfast Event, Long Gallery, Stormont

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

  • 15 March, The Future of Regeneration, NILGA, Craigavon Civic Centre and online

  • 15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Consultations

Accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore announces series of senior appointments

Audit & Assurance Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Joanne Small pictured with newly appointed senior managers to the firm. From Left to Right: Simona Paldaviciute, Orla Quigg, Glenn Murray, Joanne Small, Karen Kirk, Michael Boylan, Victoria Bates and Jamie Treacy.

Belfast accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has announced a series of senior appointments amid a period of significant growth and expansion across its Audit and Business Services departments.

The firm has appointed two Senior Managers together with a Manager in Audit, a Manager in Business Services and three Assistant Managers in Audit.

It comes after the company, which delivers a range of advisory services across the public, private and voluntary sectors announced the appointment of Michael Branniff as Business Services Partner in January and Eimear Brown as Head of Audit in August.

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore specialises in Audit & Assurance, Business Services, Taxation, Consulting and Restructuring & Insolvency.

Continuing its expansion following significant growth throughout 2021, the firm has appointed Glenn Murray and Karen Kirk as Senior Managers in Audit, while Michael Boylan becomes Audit Manager.

Jamie Treacy is now Manager in Business Services, Simona Paldaviciute is Assistant Manager in Internal Audit and Victoria Bates and Orla Quigg have both been promoted to Assistant Manager in Audit.

Five of the seven team members recently promoted began their time at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore on the Graduate Trainee Programme.  This supports graduates through their professional Accountancy exams with either the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).

Audit & Assurance Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, Joanne Small, welcomed the appointments:

“This latest group of key promotions and appointments across Audit and Business Services is in recognition of the first-class service delivered by our team members and their continued commitment to their own professional development. It gives us great pleasure to see younger members of the team, many of whom joined us on the Graduate Trainee Programme, progress throughout the firm as they continue to deliver trusted and reliable business advice.”

“At Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, we recognise that the success of the firm is directly linked to the continued success and advancement of our teams, and we are thrilled to have made a number of senior appointments in recent weeks. This is a demanding but hugely exciting time for us as we grow and expand across all areas of service. I am delighted to see these talented advisors step up a level and wish them every success going forward.”

Councillors urge NI Executive to deliver for local government in 2022

Cllr Robert Burgess, President, NILGA

Local government representatives in Northern Ireland have called on Executive ministers to deliver for councils ahead of and after the upcoming Assembly Election and treat local government here as an equal and full partner in the democratic makeup of Northern Ireland.

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Partnership Panel met on Wednesday for the first time this year to discuss a number of issues including Covid recovery, the upcoming Assembly Election, planning, remote council meetings, and rates.

The Partnership Panel provides a formal mechanism for political and strategic liaison between Executive Ministers and local government elected members on policy matters of mutual interest and concern.

Council representatives urged Executive ministers to properly back local government ahead of the Assembly Election in May, with an all-encompassing Devolution Bill which devolves further powers, resources, and finances to the 11 local councils across Northern Ireland, including a more sustainable financial footing for councils and long-promised powers like regeneration.

The panel also expressed concern over the status of the 2022-2025 Budget, which Finance Minister Conor Murphy confirmed this week cannot progress without a full Executive in place. Members also agreed changes to the way the panel functions after suggestions were raised that the Partnership Panel could work more effectively.

The meeting was attended by representatives from local government and chaired by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA. It was also attended by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA; Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA; Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA; and Junior Minister Declan Kearney MLA.

Speaking after the meeting, NILGA President Cllr Robert Burgess said:

“The Partnership Panel is a welcome and timely opportunity to engage with our colleagues in the NI Executive and central government. The Panel is an important mechanism which brings local and central government closer together on issues of mutual concern for both sectors. Engagements like these have been especially vital during the pandemic as everyone in our society has grappled with the challenges in front of us.

“The removal of Covid restrictions from law to guidance earlier this week was a welcome decision by the Health Minister and hopefully signals the end of major restrictions on our lives brought about by the pandemic. Local government has led with distinction since March 2020, delivering for our communities and our constituents, and providing key public services under some of the most difficult circumstances many of us will ever face. However, this has left local councils in a perilous financial state and now is the time to prioritise recovery and local government sustainability.

“The clock is now ticking down to polling day in May. This Assembly Election is a major opportunity for local government in Northern Ireland. NILGA has made the case for a number of years for councils here to be granted more finances, more powers, more resources to deliver for communities in times of political instability. A new, all-encompassing Devolution Bill for local councils would ensure that they are fully funded, properly resourced, and have the ability to deliver even more on a local level.

“Ahead of the election, we will continue urging our parties and candidates to ensure they commit to lifting up local government in the next mandate. This means finally devolving key powers like regeneration, which have been too long promised to councils in Northern Ireland, and creating a new way of funding our councils, a more sustainable and long-term funding model which ensures confidence in the services we provide.”

'A reset on advancement of skilled learning needed when transforming education system' - by Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal, Southern Regional College

Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College

As originally appeared in Irish News, 15 February.

When looking at how we must transform our education system for the future of our young people, real consideration must be given to the skilled sphere and how we must encourage the next generations of workforces to consider vocational pathways when looking at their post-school options.

The post-pandemic era labour shortages, which are becoming more and more apparent, are a clear indicator of the gap which long existed in our education system. But within the gaps and shortages stands an opportunity for our young people to be the catalyst of change for skills in Northern Ireland and be part of the new emerging workforce of skilled talent who can deliver the economy growth and transformation envisaged in the 10X Economic Strategy.

The Independent Review of Education must address the emerging skills gaps, the so called ‘Brain Drain’, and focus on how educational institutions need to work together to create a new education eco-system where vocational pathways are promoted and valued by all.

Across the six Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland, we are providing people of all ages with skills and adaptable knowhow which will enable them to access jobs in these key pockets of the economy which are currently struggling to retain staff. This could be multiplied across sectors if the right investment and joined-up approach to skilled learning was applied.

However, shortfalls and silos must be broken down to enable young people across Northern Ireland to have full access to information and guidance that will help inform their next steps when leaving the school system at key transition points including completion of GCSEs and A-Levels.

Collectively, the six Further Education Colleges have brought forward recommendations on how schools and FE colleges can work in a new spirit of partnership that places the needs of the young person first. This includes a formal agreement between schools and FE colleges for post primary schools to work to provide more effective careers information, labour market information and access to a new and emerging vocational education and training system.

This new vocational education system based on Traineeships and Advanced Technical Awards should be progressed within colleges and will provide opportunities for transitioning to apprenticeships and progression to higher education.  The strong connection that colleges have with many hundreds of businesses across Northern Ireland places colleges in an ideal position to provide the future workforce in areas including FinTech, Software Development, Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacture and Engineering and Health Care.

There is a real opportunity to provide all young people with access to vocational education and training within the wider education system in Northern Ireland. Our six colleges have the tools, courses and expertise to train and upskill people of all ages to play their role in the new economy. We hope that all those in the education sector are as determined to break down barriers and achieve a system fit for all.

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore reacts to the removal of all remaining Covid-19 restrictions

Stephen McConnell, Business Services Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Reacting to the announcement that all remaining Covid-19 restrictions will be removed, Stephen McConnell, Business Services Partner at leading accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“Today’s decision to remove the remaining Covid-19 restrictions is a welcome and entirely necessary step forward. Businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, have been operating under a number of legal requirements that, while important to manage the public health crisis posed by the Omicron variant, have ultimately stifled their ability to truly rebuild from the pandemic.”

“As the situation eases, the removal of all restrictions will allow business owners to maximise their operations at a time when profit margins are being reduced from all angles. Cost bases have reached unprecedented levels as gas and electric tariffs continue to skyrocket, government support schemes are winding up and the return of the 20% VAT rate is just around the corner. Many businesses are now also making repayments to the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and various other support measures, meaning their ability to operate free from legal restrictions is vital to help pay off debts. Almost two years into the pandemic, what we do know is that business owners here are resilient and resourceful and will no doubt emerge from this latest phase ready to continue contributing to the economy and creating jobs for people in Northern Ireland.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 14 February 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act 2022 has become law, increasing the one-week period to nominate a First and deputy First Minister to six weeks.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis MP confirmed that the upcoming Assembly Election will take place on Thursday 5 May 2022.

  • The Finance Minister will bring forward a 2021-22 Budget Bill in the coming weeks to deal with the absence of an agreed Executive draft Budget. This will allow departments to spend 45% of their mandated yearly spend.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has received legal advice stating he cannot lift Covid-19 restrictions alone. He has written to his Ministerial colleagues regarding the advice, asking for their responses by 1pm on Monday.

  • Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to MLAs regarding the passage of legislation. He expects that all Executive bills will complete their passage before the end of the mandate.

  • The Department of Finance intends to bring forward a legal framework to the Fiscal Council in the next Assembly mandate.

  • Department of Finance officials confirmed the £100 million block grant consequential and unallocated funds from January monitoring can be carried forward to next year.

  • Belfast City Council is to bring forward legal proceedings to compel the Government and Department of Agriculture to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The UK Government intends to bring forward legislation on culture, identity, and language in Northern Ireland ahead of the Assembly Election.

  • The Irish Cabinet is establishing two Citizens’ Assemblies. One will assist the State respond to biodiversity loss and the other will examine local government structures in Dublin.

  • The Belfast Telegraph has launched its Business Awards for 2022. The deadline for nominations is 11 April. Enter here: LINK.

  • The School Age Bill and the Adoption and Children Bill will have their Consideration Stage on Monday.

  • The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill will have its Consideration Stage on Tuesday.

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

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from NIC-ICTU on the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill. The Infrastructure Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the review of the Planning Act 2011.

Other Stories this week

  • EY Ireland Chief Economist Neil Gibson has been appointed as Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance. Colum Boyle will take up the role in the Department for Communities.

  • Sir David Sterling has been appointed as the Chair of Northern Ireland Screen.

  • The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill and the Organ Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill have both passed their Final Stage and await Royal Assent.

  • PwC’s NI Economic Outlook Report found that Northern Ireland businesses need to exploit the opportunities created by the NI Protocol.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg MP as the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

  • Samantha Jones was appointed as the interim Permanent Secretary for the new Office of the Prime Minister.

  • The NIO is relocating from Stormont House to Erskine House, expanding the UK Government Hub in Belfast City Centre.

Upcoming key political and business events 

  • 20 February, SDLP Conference, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy

  • 23 February, In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 25 February, Women in Tech Conference, Titanic Belfast

  • 26 February, DUP Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry

  • 9 March, Post-Brexit Conference: Sustaining and Building Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade, Newry and Dundalk Chamber

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

  • 15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Consultations

Justice Committee expected to be warned that proposed cuts will impact on the most vulnerable

(L-R) David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland and David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland

Representatives from the legal profession are expected to tell the Assembly’s Justice Committee of their growing concerns that the proposed cuts to the Department of Justice budget will leave areas of Northern Ireland without legal aid services and representation.

The stark warning of ‘legal aid deserts’ follows concerns previously raised by both the Law Society and Bar of Northern Ireland about the future of solicitor firms and barrister practices who would be forced to restrict their services because of proposed cuts to the Justice budget.

The Law Society and the Bar will express deep concerns that the real impact of proposed budgetary cuts coupled with the huge backlog in the justice system will significantly affect the network of lawyers resulting in access to justice being severely curtailed or non-existent in many local towns.

The representative bodies will argue that the proposed cuts will hit the most vulnerable in society the hardest as they will struggle to fund legal proceedings or get professional legal advice and support on life changing issues.

The Law Society and the Bar have been calling on political decision makers to urgently review the proposed cuts and to consider the real implications on their local communities and constituents.

Commenting David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society in Northern Ireland said:

“Lawyers are all too aware of the significant pressures the Justice System is currently operating under. It has been estimated that it may take until 2027 at the earliest for these backlogs to be cleared. The current proposals by the Department will cause further delays.”

“Solicitor firms in Northern Ireland tend to be relatively small, with over a quarter comprising only one solicitor while there are relatively few firms in the South and West of the province. It is these small, rural practices which are most under threat and the closure of those firms would be very damaging to the communities they serve.”

“This budget proposal must be reconsidered to ensure the network of legal representation throughout Northern Ireland is maintained and that communities can easily access the Justice System.”

David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland added:

“Many people across Northern Ireland rely on Legal Aid to gain help on important issues including, the care of vulnerable children, family separation, domestic violence and the functioning of the criminal justice system.”

“It is difficult to stress the importance of Legal Aid to people until someone they know has to access a legal representative for help. It is usually a time of untold stress, anxiety, and worry. Without the proper support, our profession’s ability to do so will be severely limited.”

“The proposed budget creates the very real risk of forcing solicitors in many towns across Northern Ireland to cease practice. It will also massively reduce the availability of barristers to represent cases in court as the viability of taking on Legal Aid cases becomes unsustainable. Justice delayed is Justice denied. These proposals will see ordinary people being left behind and deserted by the Justice system.”