Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 7 March 2022

Forward Look                                

  • Please find attached a one-page brief on the Alliance Party ahead of their conference tomorrow at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast.

  • Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has until Monday to co-opt a replacement for former South Belfast MLA, Christopher Stalford. According to the Belfast Telegraph, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA, Former First Minister Paul Givan MLA and councillors Tracy Kelly, Sarah Bunting and Paul Porter are seen as potential replacements.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA will bring forward a £50 million business rates support package for the 2022-23 financial year. The Assembly also backed his proposal to freeze regional rates for another year.

  • An indicative budget for Invest NI has been agreed for 2022-23. Interim Chief Executive Mel Chittock has said that due to financial constraints, the agency will not be able to continue supporting businesses in the same way. A “significant prioritisation exercise” is underway.

  • Assembly speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to MLAs to say it is possible to get all legislation passed during the final 3 weeks of this mandate. An extra plenary sitting has been scheduled for next Wednesday. Another plenary sitting may be scheduled for the week commencing 21 March.

  • The Department for the Economy is to publish sector-specific data on the impact of the High Street Voucher Scheme later this month.

  • The public apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse will be delivered next Friday in the Assembly Chamber of Parliament Buildings.

  • The next meeting of the Interparliamentary Forum will take place at Stormont “in the latter part of the year”. A proposal placing the Forum on a statutory basis will be taken forward.

  • The Leaders’ Lectures series from Queen’s University continues next week with addresses from UUP Leader Doug Beattie MLA on Monday, Sinn Féin Vice-President Michelle O’Neill MLA on Tuesday, and Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA on Wednesday.

  • Further Consideration Stage of the of the Private Tenancies Bill and Budget Bill 2022 will take place on Monday. The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Bill and the Autism (Amendment) Bill will each have their Final Stage on Tuesday.

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

  • On Wednesday, the Executive Office Committee will consider a ‘Legacy Report (2017-22)’ on its work this Assembly mandate. The Economy Committee will receive a briefing on the Department’s ‘10X Trade and Investment Action Plan’.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP will face Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

  • The CIPR is hosting a Women in Politics breakfast event at Stormont next Wednesday to mark International Women’s Day. To register: LINK.

  • The Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an urgent Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to support those fleeing the conflict. To find out more and donate: LINK.

Other Stories this week

  • The Climate Change (No. 2) Bill completed its Further Consideration Stage on Tuesday. While the School Age Bil completed its Final Stage on Monday.

  • Ahead of the Assembly Election, the Alliance Party has published two policy documents dealing with healthcare reform and the cost of living crisis.

  • The Irish Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly, has resigned after losing the support of parliamentary colleagues. Dublin Bay South TD Ivana Bacik is the frontrunner to replace him.

  • On Wednesday, Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee considered an application for a major renovation of Castle Court Shopping Centre.

  • According to a survey of Fine Gael elected representatives, conducted by the Irish Examiner, Helen McEntee TD and Simon Harris TD are “best placed” to replace Leo Varadkar TD in any future party leadership contest.

  • MPs are set to set to receive a 2.7% pay increase from April, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has announced.

  • The Irish Government has allocated £30 million to its Shared Island Fund to support cross border research projects.

  • A British Business Bank report has found that the proportion of small businesses in Northern Ireland happy to use finance to grow was 35%, second only to London at 37%.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 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

  • 9 March, RCOT’s Roots to Recovery Launch Event

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

  • 15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes

  • 23 March, In Camera with the Department of Finance

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

  • 7 April, BelTech 2022

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

Consultations

NI Charities unite to launch Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Donate to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal HERE.

A man hugs his daughter and granddaughter after they crossed the border from Shehyni in Ukraine to Medyka in Poland. Numerous Ukrainians are leaving the country fleeing the conflict. Image credit: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Charities in Northern Ireland have united to launch a major fundraising appeal for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

The DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal to raise urgent funds to help those forced to flee their homes gets underway today. Over one million people have left Ukraine in the last week and many more have been displaced inside the country due to intense fighting.

Locally, the appeal is supported by the British Red Cross, Save the Children NI, Concern Worldwide Northern Ireland and Tearfund NI who have joined the wider DEC effort to raise funds quickly and efficiently.

Inside Ukraine homes have been destroyed and essential infrastructure such as water supplies, hospitals and schools have been hit. People are being forced to hide in shelters and metro stations to stay safe.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are crossing borders into Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, triggering a large-scale humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that four million people could flee the country due to the conflict. The majority crossing the borders are women and children arriving with only what they can carry.

As what will happen next with the conflict remains unclear, the 15 leading UK aid charities supported by the DEC have united to scale up their response and help families affected by the crisis. DEC members and their local partners are responding in Ukraine and across neighbouring countries to meet the immediate needs of people fleeing with food, water, health assistance, protection, and trauma care.

Every pound donated by the UK public will be matched by the UK government through its Aid Match scheme up to the value of £20 million. This support will double the impact of the public’s own donations and will ensure that charities working on the ground can reach those in urgent need.

Kevin McCaughan, Senior Institutional Programme Funding Officer at the British Red Cross in Northern Ireland said:

“The conflict in Ukraine is having a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of people. Lives are being lost, homes are being destroyed and families are being separated. Over one million people have fled their homes with only enough as they can carry, and long queues are forming at borders. With so many people impacted, there is a need for those of us at home to give what we can to support people seeking refuge.”

“DEC charities and their local partners are active both in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. This appeal will help them to scale up their efforts and make sure food, water, health assistance and trauma care make it to those in desperate need. We have a chance to mobilise the generosity of people here in Northern Ireland and help more families and individuals impacted by the conflict. I urge local people and businesses to donate what they can to those affected at this crucial time.”

DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said:

“I could never have envisaged launching a humanitarian appeal in Europe in 2022. But tragically, that’s exactly where we find ourselves. Our members are working tirelessly with local partners to reach people in Ukraine swiftly as the brutal conflict turns lives upside down. Families, including many children, have been forced to leave everything they know behind to find safety and desperately need food, water and shelter. The DEC exists to mobilise the British public’s generosity and goodwill at times of crisis overseas, and this is one of those moments.”

Romanian firefighters helping Ukrainians on the border with Romania called Vama siret. Image credit: World Vision.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the Appeal in PMQs in the House of Commons. He said:

“Time and time again the British people have proved responsive and generous when confronted with a global emergency, and so I have no doubt that millions will support this vital appeal.”  

“That is also why the UK Government will match every pound donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee by the British public, ensuring vital supplies and support reaches those left homeless, displaced and distraught by this war.” 

Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss said:

“The UK stands with people fleeing this terrible conflict and we are working with our humanitarian partners to provide for those in need in Ukraine and the wider region in their hour of need.”

“Through the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, we will match, pound for pound, up to £20 million of donations from the Great British public, ensuring vital support reaches communities in desperate need of help.” 

How to Donate:

·        Online: dec.org.uk   

·        Phone: 0370 60 60 610

·        SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70150. Texts cost £10 and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk

·        Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to Post: DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.

BelTech returns in person for ninth annual conference

Mark Brown, Vice President of Technology Products at Unosquare, Catherine Paul, Lead Software Engineer at Kainos, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Kate Nicholl, Managing Director of Liberty IT Tony Marron and Kevin Higgins, Technical Lead at Allstate NI.

BelTech, the popular technology conference that celebrates and inspires the local tech community, is returning to Belfast for its ninth annual event.

Taking place at Titanic Belfast on April 7, BelTech is back in person for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A forum for the technologists of today to investigate the revolutionary technologies of the future, BelTech is this year curated by individuals from three of the region’s largest technology companies; Kainos, Allstate Northern Ireland and Liberty IT.

Set to inspire a burst of activity among local innovators, BelTech will focus on Software Delivery and the challenges of making it to market. Sessions will cover the importance of multi-disciplinary teams, the challenges of working with live systems and designing technology for future change.

An opportunity to meet and collaborate with peers both locally and globally, BelTech will celebrate the latest achievements and milestones of local industry while also providing engaging and informative sessions for the next generation of innovators.

Curated by technologists, for technologists, BelTech 2022 is supported by Kainos, Liberty IT, Allstate NI and Unosquare. A hybrid event, the conference will also be streamed live for those who wish to attend from home.

Tom Gray, Director of Innovation at Kainos, said:

“Northern Ireland’s tech professionals will unite once again this April at BelTech, a conference that has adapted and evolved over the past nine years to provide timely and valuable insights for the industry. This year, we look forward to delving into the area of Software Delivery, specifically the process of getting software ready for production and delivery to the market.”

“Carefully curated to be a useful and beneficial event for professionals across all areas, it will also examine what’s new, next, and how those emerging technologies will affect us. BelTech returns to foster leadership, advancement and collaboration and we have no doubt the opportunity to return live and in person this year will help inspire new partnerships, ideas and innovations across the industry.”

Jason McBride, Senior Leader at Allstate Northern Ireland said:

“I am thrilled to return as a BelTech curator after an informative and inspiring conference last year. As technologists, we rely on collaboration and knowledge sharing with our peers, and BelTech is an opportunity to engage with individuals who are experts in their fields both locally and globally. A dynamic and exciting event, the programme for 2022 is shaping up to be our best yet and I look forward to seeing what new innovations it inspires.”

Tony Marron, Managing Director at Liberty IT said:

“We are pleased to be once again supporting BelTech, a conference that will examine the latest and emerging advancements in technologies like LiveOps, Evolutionary Architecture, Blockchain, AI and Cyber Security. Northern Ireland’s tech industry is well known for its collaboration, and it is always fantastic to see the community coming together to share knowledge and experiences that will inspire and empower innovators. There’s an extremely strong programme of lively discussions and presentations and I have no doubt it will bring great value for local technologists, both of today and of the future.”

To find out more and register for the virtual conference which takes place on Thursday 7 April, visit: https://beltech.co/

Public encouraged to make their pledge and Unite Against Hate in Northern Ireland

Unite Against Hate will today launch a pledge urging the public to challenge, reach out and speak out against hate in Northern Ireland.

People are being encouraged to sign the pledge to show their commitment to tackling prejudice and discrimination in Northern Ireland. This comes as recent PSNI statistics have shown that an average of eight hate crimes or incidents are reported to the police every day across the region, with figures of racist and sectarian incidents rising every year.

Launching today at an event titled “We Are Here”, the Unite Against Hate Pledge has been developed in collaboration with the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME), LGBTQ+, Jewish and other communities from across Northern Ireland. Belfast Lord Mayor Cllr Kate Nicholl will address the event where individuals will discuss their experiences of prejudice, discrimination, and racism here.

The Unite Against Hate pledge opens for signatures online today with the public able to have their name displayed on the pledge wall. The pledge has three key parts, for individuals to challenge their own prejudices, reach out to those from a different community, and speak out and not standing by when others experience discrimination or hate.

The Unite Against Hate campaign delivered by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has been supported by the Executive Office’s Central Good Relations Funding programme. To sign the Pledge, visit: http://uniteagainsthate.org.uk/pledge/

Minister for Justice, Naomi Long MLA, said:

“The most important thing we can do is to challenge the reasons why hate crime occurs. We need to learn to embrace diversity and better understand the challenges that other people face.

“When we see intolerance and prejudice, we need to be confident enough to speak out against it. We need to call people out and challenge them to change their ways. We need to do that in private and we need to do it in public.”

“And that’s why I’m lending my support to this Unite Against Hate campaign because I think that changing attitudes is the most important thing we can do to protect people from hate crime.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Kate Nicholl, said:

“I’m proud to have signed the pledge to show my commitment to tackling prejudice and discrimination in Northern Ireland and I encourage everyone to take a moment to add their own signature. There’s absolutely no place for hatred in our society – and it’s up to each and every one of us to take steps to End Hate and Embrace Diversity.”

“I’m passionate about encouraging a more welcoming, kinder Belfast during my term of office and I’m really heartened by the great work that many organisations are doing to help break down stereotypes and combat discrimination.  But just imagine what a fantastic place it would be if we all pledged to recognise and address our own prejudices, to reach out and learn from those we see as being different, and to speak out for diversity and inclusion.”

Baroness Margaret Ritchie of Downpatrick, Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, added:

“Embracing diversity and uniting against hate is crucial in Northern Ireland because we know the consequences of prejudice, discrimination and hatred. We have come far in the last 25 years, and we are beginning to see a rich, diverse, multi-cultural society blossom here.”

“We must embrace and support our minority communities and show them that Northern Ireland has learned from the past, and is now a place where diversity is celebrated, not rejected.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 28 February 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The DUP Party Conference has been postponed until Autumn following the passing of Christopher Stalford MLA. The party must co-opt a new MLA for the South Belfast constituency by Monday.

  • Invest NI will host a major showcase event for Northern Ireland businesses on Thursday at the International Conference Centre. To register for the hybrid event: LINK

  • Ministers Michelle McIlveen MLA, Conor Murphy MLA, Nichola Mallon MLA, Robin Swann MLA, and Naomi Long MLA will deliver a public apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse on 11 March.

  • Dame Rotha Johnson MBE and Maureen O’Reilly have been appointed as panel members for the Independent Review of Invest NI.

  • EU-UK Protocol negotiations are to continue in a “discreet” manner due to the upcoming Assembly election.

  • The Institute of Export & International Trade will open a new office in Northern Ireland on Thursday.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has launched a public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol. To respond by 17 May 2022: LINK

  • Belfast City Council expect a refreshed ‘Belfast Agenda’ document will be published for public consultation in the Spring.

  • The Department for Economy will commission an independent evaluation of the High Street Spend Local Scheme to assess the Scheme’s efficacy.

  • The Climate Change (No.2) Bill will have its Further Consideration Stage on Monday.

  • The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Amendment) Bill will have its Second Stage on Tuesday.

  • Question Time will take place for the Infrastructure Minister and Justice Minister on Monday. The Agriculture Minister and Health Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, the NI Assembly EU Affairs Manager will brief the Executive Office Committee.

  • Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney TD will address attendees at the Londonderry Chamber’s President’s Annual Lunch on Thursday.

  • The six Further Education Colleges and Hospitality Ulster will partner to host a virtual panel event discussing the working relationship between the two sectors on Thursday.

Other Stories this week

  • DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has denied that he intended to re-join the UUP following an approach from party leader Doug Beattie MLA in May 2021.

  • The SDLP cancelled its party conference following the death of Christopher Stalford MLA.

  • Invest NI have suspended new offers of financial support to potential investors because of uncertainty surrounding its budget.

  • Departmental officials have told the Finance Committee that health, rates, and borrowing were the key emerging themes that informed the Executive’s draft Budget 2022-25 in the absence of a Programme for Government.

  • Ministers and MLAs will receive a £500 salary increase from April due to inflation.

  • The Protection from Stalking Bill has passed its Final Stage. The Autism (Amendment) Bill and the School Age Bill have passed their Further Consideration Stages.

  • Richard Morgan will join the BBC Radio Ulster Evening Extra presenter team from 21 March.

Upcoming key political and business events

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

  • 3 March, Northern Ireland Showcase, Invest NI, International Conference Centre

  • 3 March, Further Education & Hospitality: Collaborative partners on the road to recovery, Northern Regional College and online

  • 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

Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry set to hold Virtual Information Session

Inquiry team puts call out to encourage those impacted by issues at the Hospital to come forward as part of Inquiry process 

The Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry Team is calling for people affected by issues at Muckamore Abbey Hospital to come along to a virtual Information Session.

The Information Session, led by the Public Inquiry Chair, Tom Kark QC, will provide those affected by Muckamore Abbey Hospital the opportunity to engage with the Inquiry Team and receive further information about the Inquiry process.

The Information Session is set to take place virtually via Zoom on Wednesday 9th March at 5pm.

The Inquiry Team has asked that all attendees register for the Information Session. This can be done by phoning the Inquiry Team directly on 028 9051 5462 or by emailing info@mahinquiry.org.uk. An invitation link will be sent ahead of the session. All contact will remain confidential, and those attending will be treated with complete sensitivity.

Prior to the session, those who can, are encouraged to fill out the short contact form available on the Inquiry website at www.mahinquiry.org.uk

Chair of the Inquiry, Tom Kark QC said:

“This independent Public Inquiry has been set up to consider the serious and complex issues at Muckamore Abbey Hospital. This Inquiry is about the wellbeing of vulnerable people who have been entrusted into the care of others, often away from their families.”

“We want all those who have information, of whatever nature, to come forward ahead of the commencement of hearings and I encourage all those affected to engage with the Inquiry. I recognise that this may be an extremely distressing time for some, and I can assure individuals that all engagement with the Inquiry will be treated with sensitivity.”

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