DUP Reshuffles Assembly Frontbench Team

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has announced a reshuffle of the party’s frontbench Assembly team. The announcement comes as the Assembly and Executive sit in cold storage over the party’s refusal to restore power-sharing until the Northern Ireland Protocol is dealt with.

The Lagan Valley MP said the changes to the party’s frontbench are about their continued work and engagement “across a wide range of policy areas to ensure that voices are heard, and concerns are addressed.”

The appointments are as follows:

Northern Ireland hymn-writing duo Keith & Kristyn Getty gear up for first GRAMMY Awards

Album cover of Keith and Kristyn Getty’s latest album, Christ Our Hope and Life and Death.

Northern Irish Christian hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty will have their GRAMMY Awards debut on Sunday 5 February.

The Gettys will travel to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for the 65th GRAMMY Awards 2023, having been nominated for their album Confessio – Irish American Roots.

A landmark moment in the pair’s career, which has seen them rise to fame as the world’s most successful hymn writing duo, the local couple are nominated alongside world-renowned artists such as Willie Nelson, the Gaither Vocal Band and Karen Peck & New River.

They are nominated in the Best Roots Gospel Album Category which is for albums that feature more than 50% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

Described by the couple as their “love letter to Northern Ireland”, Confessio showcases 15 modern and timeless hymns including renditions of Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace and It Is Well With My Soul, as well as their own In Christ Alone and Immigrant’s Song.

Recorded on the North Coast as the Getty’s spent time at home during the pandemic, Confessio traces their journey back to Northern Ireland to explore the connection between the island’s enduring faith music heritage and its legacy in America, from St Patrick and Be Thou My Vision to their own work and Kristyn’s duet version of In Christ Alone with Alison Krauss.

It highlights traditional Irish melodies and instrumentation and features performances from an array of guests including multiple GRAMMY-award winning artists Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs and Kirk Whalum, as well as their daughters making an appearance.

The couple’s GRAMMY nomination comes ahead of the Sing! World Tour which will kickstart at Belfast’s SSE Arena before shows in the Star Theatre, Singapore and the Sydney Opera House, Australia.

Speaking ahead of the 65th GRAMMY Awards, Keith Getty OBE said:

“We are honoured to be nominated for our first Grammy Award, especially for an album that is dedicated to our home, the place that gave the origins and meaning to why we write hymns. We made this album during the pandemic when we were home with our daughters in Northern Ireland. It started one day as I was at Ballycastle harbour looking out to sea, reflecting on our heritage and the gift it is to be from here”.

“Kristyn and I had a lot of fun creating this album. We recorded Amazing Grace in “Harry’s Shack” on Portstewart Strand, which they kindly opened for us during the pandemic to make the recording, and our own version of “It Is Well With My Soul” was recorded at Downhill Beach and Mussenden Temple. Some of the tracks were even simply recorded in the outdoor ‘Cove’ in our home outside of Bushmills”.

“We were not expecting a Grammy nomination for a project which in many ways is a love letter to our home, and we are so grateful to have contributions from the likes of Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, and Kirk Whalum as well as many of our own team. Our desire for this album was to shine light on the hope of the Gospel, the Christian heritage of the West, the importance of hymn singing, and ultimately the beauty of Christ”.

“The Grammys are a once in a lifetime opportunity, so whatever the outcome on Sunday, we are proud to be able to put Northern Ireland on the map in the presence of so many legendary artists and musicians”.

Allstate NI’s Stephen Lomas appointed chair of Contact Centre Network Northern Ireland

Allstate NI Senior Manager and Chair of Contact Centre Network Northern Ireland Stephen Lomas

Allstate NI’s Stephen Lomas has been appointed chair of the Contact Centre Network Northern Ireland (CCNNI).

Stephen, who leads Allstate NI’s global service desk, takes over as chair of the industry body from Danske Bank’s Joanne Wilson, who has led the organisation since 2021.

Established in 2018, CCNNI is a non-profit membership organisation supporting the contact centre and customer service industry, which employs over 15,000 people across Northern Ireland.

Stephen is a senior manager at the Allstate Technology Support Centre, which provides technical support to 54,700 Allstate employees around the world. He brings over 18 years of industry experience to the role, having joined Allstate NI when the technical support desk first opened in 2004.

As chair of the CCNNI Advisory Board, Stephen hopes to promote the industry as an employer of choice and develop initiatives to share best practices, working with the organisation’s 45-plus members, including BT, Firstsource Solutions, Santander, Concentrix, Danske Bank, BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Power NI.

The appointment follow’s Stephen’s recognition as Contact Centre Manager of the Year at the UK National Contact Centre Awards 2021 and Contact Centre Manager of the Year at the Contact Centre Network NI Awards 2020.

Allstate NI Senior Manager and CCNNI Chair Stephen Lomas said:

“I am thrilled to begin my term as chair of the CCNNI Advisory Board after many years engaging with colleagues in the industry via the organisation. Working in the sector, I have had the opportunity to build and progress my career within a large organisation and have watched the industry expand in line with Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as an active technology hub. The CCNNI is an important vehicle for collaborating with others and sharing new initiatives, and I look forward to working with the rest of the Board as we support the industry’s continued expansion across the evolving landscape of contact centres as multi-channel centralised services.”

CCNNI Managing Director Jayne Davies added:

“We are delighted to welcome Stephen as chair and look forward to implementing his ideas and initiatives. He will be a strong asset to the organisation as we work together to promote the contact centre industry.”

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore appoints new Tax Director to growing Tax Advisory team

Neil Armstrong joins as Tax Director, while Tax Trainee Jessica Harris joins from Australia

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore’s newly appointed Tax Trainee Jessica Harris (left) and Tax Director Neil Armstrong (right) pictured with Head of Tax Angela Keery (middle).

Accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has welcomed two new tax professionals to its growing team.

With over 25 years’ tax advisory experience in Northern Ireland, Neil Armstrong joins the practice as Tax Director.

Prior to the move, Neil spent six years at a mid-tier practice and ten working at a Big 4 firm, advising high net worth individuals on all areas of taxation.

Neil’s main areas of focus are personal tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, succession planning and business structures. He also specialises in maximising tax efficiencies and cashflow.

The Belfast firm, which works across Audit & Assurance, Business Services, Consulting, Taxation and Restructuring & Insolvency has also welcomed Jessica Harris as a Tax Trainee.

Having recently moved to Northern Ireland from Brisbane, Australia, Jessica spent two years working for the Australian Taxation Office and holds a First Class Honours degree in Environmental Economics.

Jessica’s experience includes time spent working with the Top 500, an advisory service for Australia’s top 500 wealthiest individuals, ensuring robust tax governance was in place. She also spent time in the Australian Taxation Office call centre, assisting members of the public to complete their end of year tax returns.

Head of Tax at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Angela Keery welcomed the pair to the practice:

“It has been a pleasure to begin 2023 with both Neil and Jessica as part of the team. Both bring a wealth of unique experience that will be invaluable to our clients going forward. Joining us from a mid-tier practice, Neil is well placed to advise and support our valued personal and corporate clients on everything from their personal tax planning to their business structure. With a strong academic record and expertise on the tax obligations from the Revenue’s perspective, I know Jessica will be a real asset to the team and wish her well for her time with us at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore.”

Tax Director at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Neil Armstrong said:

“I am thrilled to join the team at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. Already it is clear this is a busy practice with clients across all sectors requiring detailed, often bespoke advice on their tax obligations and options. Faced with a recession and increasingly uncertain business landscape, the need for sound professional advice is clear. I have spent many years working closely with individuals and businesses in Northern Ireland on their tax and look forward to continuing this with the support of the Baker Tilly Mooney Moore team.”

Tax Trainee at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Jessica Harris added:

 “It is wonderful to begin my time in Northern Ireland getting started in my role at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. They are a friendly and welcoming team who have made sure I felt settled whilst introducing me to clients and contacts here in Belfast. I know I will learn so much during my time here and have already had the opportunity to apply my experience from the Australian Taxation Office.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead – Ireland Wednesday 25 January 2023

  • The Irish Independent has reported from a senior source in Fine Gael that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD will hold the next general election in Autumn 2024.

  • Support for Fine Gael has dropped by four percentage points according to the latest Sunday Times/Behaviour and Attitudes Opinion Poll.

  • Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue TD stated no land will be sold to UK-based investment fund Gresham House and that the firm’s role will be solely to manage development of forests.

  • Health Minister Stephen Donnelly TD sought permission from the Cabinet yesterday to draft legislation to abolish inpatient charges for those who are hospitalised.

  • Chief Economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers, Dermot O’Leary, has said growth in Ireland is set to outperform the rest of the Eurozone due to high household saving levels and Government surplus.

  • €50m of funds for local communities who have “stepped up to the plate” in supporting Ukrainian refugees was announced by Rural and Community Minister Heather Humphreys TD and State Minister Joe O’Brien TD yesterday.

  • Daniel McConnell has been appointed editor of the Business Post, leaving his post as political editor of The Examiner.

  • Ulster Bank will crease transactions for customers in the Republic of Ireland on 31 March.

  • The Irish Farmers Association president Tim Cullan said at the organisation’s AGM that Government climate policy must support the agricultural sector to reduce emissions.

  • A €25bn plan for new Luas lines in the greater Dublin area has been published by the National Transport Authority.

  • Council workers are threatening to withdraw their labour from the planned transformation of the country’s water services citing concerns of pay, and terms and conditions of those who do not move to Uisce Éireann.

  • Today, The Communications Regulation Bill will reach its final stages in the Dáil.

 

Other Stories this week

  • Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has admitted to a breach in electoral rules by receives a corporate donation that exceeded the legal limits.

  • Developers will be paid more than €1.4m by An Bord Pleanála as a result of significant delays in processing strategic housing development applications.

  • Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern gave evidence to the NI Affairs committee on Monday as part of an on-going inquiry into the effectiveness of the Good Friday Agreement. Ahern was the first former or serving Taoiseach to present evidence to the committee.

  • Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had their first call on Monday to discuss the on-going EU-UK negotiations.

  • Job vacancies fell on an annual and quarterly basis in 2022 but still remain higher than pre-Covid levels.

  • Venture capital investment in Irish business fell by 38% last year.

 

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 25 January, BioPharma and Lifesciences Connected, Radisson Blu Hotel, Cork.

  • 2 February, The Irish Times Business Awards, Round Room, Mansion House.

  • 2 February, CIPD Ireland Employment Law Seminar, Aviva Stadium.

  • 7 February, General Council Summit, The Marker Hotel, Dublin.

  • 9 February, The National Health Summit, Croke Park, Dublin.

  • 9 February, Northwest in the City Networking Event, The Westbury, Dublin.

Consultations

Local short film An Irish Goodbye nominated for an Oscar

Hollywood actors Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed announced yesterday the 95th Annual Academy Awards via a global live stream. Northern Ireland Screen was delighted to see An Irish Goodbye, written and directed by Tom Berkeley & Ross White nominated for an Oscar in the Live Action Short Film category. 

The Oscar nomination came hot on the heels of the film’s BAFTA nomination for Best British Short Film.  

Filmed entirely in Northern Ireland, An Irish Goodbye, is a black comedy about the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother. Under the watchful eye of odd-ball parish priest Father O’Shea, the brothers’ pained reunion is worsened by the fact Turlough must now make new care arrangements for Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome. A robust and dedicated farmer, Lorcan’s dream of continuing to work the land he grew up on is thwarted when Turlough decides he’s sending him to live with their aunt on the other side of Ireland. But when the brothers discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mother, Lorcan senses an opportunity: he’ll only agree to leave the farm once he and Turlough have themselves completed every single wish on their mother’s list…all one hundred of them. 

The film stars Seamus O’Hara (The Northman, Game of Thrones), James Martin (Marcella, Ups and Downs), Paddy Jenkins (Hunger) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones, Fortitude). 

The Oscars ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 12 at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide. 

Ross White, Co-Writer and Director of An Irish Goodbye

Writers and Directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White commented: 

“Having grown up watching the Oscars every year from afar, we are completely honoured and overwhelmed by the nomination. The Academy Awards represent the very pinnacle of international filmmaking, and we are simply blown away to be a small part of this year’s celebration. All our thanks goes to our generous, passionate and talented cast and crew; a wee film shot in Templepatrick has somehow made its way to Hollywood - this a dream come true. I mean, Steven Spielberg is going to be there, lads. Steven Spielberg.” 

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen commented:

“The Academy Awards is the gold-standard awards ceremony for the art of cinema and we are truly delighted for Ross, Tom and the entire team behind An Irish Goodbye who have secured a prestigious Oscars nomination. We are so proud of the team who continue to rack up acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Northern Ireland Screen is very pleased to have supported An Irish Goodbye and wish them every success for awards season.” 

'How restrictive covenants can protect your business in the war for talent' by Matthew Howse, Partner – Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 24 January 2023

Matthew Howse, Partner – Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

A new year brings the opportunity to take stock and make plans for the year ahead.  For a person looking at the next 12 months, a new job might be part of those considerations.

Over the last number of years, the labour market has grown much more competitive for employers, thanks in large part to the pandemic and wider changing trends in the world of work. While focus has often been on what employers can do to attract talent and make their organisation stand out in a crowded market, serious consideration should also be given to how you can protect your business and its operations when employees move elsewhere.

In today’s war on talent, restrictive covenants can be a vital tool in protecting your business’s information, technology, and even client and customer base. For competitors, poaching an employee with a wealth of insight, experience, and knowledge can be one of the best investments they make. By putting in place strong and enforceable restrictive covenants, employers can protect their organisations and ensure they remain competitive in their sector. 

Restrictive covenants can take a number of different forms, such as non-compete, non-solicitation, non-dealing, and non-poaching.  The aim of a restrictive covenant is to protect your legitimate business interests and therefore should be drafted with care and consideration to ensure they are proportionate and effective.  It is important that companies do not impose, for example, a six-month restrictive period when two months would have sufficed, as they risk a court striking down the restrictive clause in its entirety as unreasonable. 

Restrictive covenants can give your organisation the breathing space to find new talent and ensure that the departing employee does not give their new employer an unfair competitive edge. However, there are a number of key factors to keep in mind when using these clauses. In order to ensure restrictive covenants are enforceable, there must be a clear legitimate interest which the business is seeking to protect.  Organisations should actively consider why they are using restrictive covenants – does the employee work in sales and there is a risk of them moving to a direct competitor?  Will the employee have access to sensitive business information which could cause damage to the business if shared with competitors? 

Companies must be able to articulate what it is they are trying to protect and why.  If they are not able to do this, then they will not be able to enforce the covenants against the departing employee, leaving your interests potentially at risk.

Once you have established there is a legitimate interest to protect, the steps you take to protect that interest must only go as far as is reasonable to protect that interest.  This is a careful balancing exercise between protecting a company’s legitimate interests and curtailing an individual’s ability to work.  If a business-critical person resigns, or there is an indication they may resign and they perform a role where legitimate business interests may be at risk, an employer should take steps in readiness.  You can do this by placing the employee on garden leave for the duration of their notice period, for example.  If you need immediate relief, however, you must move quickly and seek legal advice on the options available, whilst gathering evidence of the alleged breaches and any damages which may have been suffered.

As with any disputes, keeping all parties aware of their obligations is to be recommended at all times. Reminding departing employees of their obligations immediately and regularly throughout the process can help avoid many headaches. However, ensuring your contracts have strong and robust mechanisms like restrictive covenants can shield your organisation or company when there are staff changes.

New Aircoach North West Service hits the road

New Aircoach North West 705X service hit the road yesterday

The new Aircoach service connecting Derry/Londonderry to Belfast International Airport, Dublin Airport and Dublin City Centre hit the road yesterday.

The launch of the new 705X service followed the acquisition of the well-known North West based passenger transport company, Airporter by Aircoach last year.

The acquisition included the former Airporter base at Springtown Industrial Estate in the city and the transfer of all Airporter drivers and operational staff to Aircoach to service the new timetable and route.

The new service brings a range of new benefits for customers including:

·        Routes running seven days a week beginning at 01:05am daily.

·        Stops at Foyleside Coach Park, Drumahoe Park and Ride, Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Centre, Dublin Airport and O’Connell Street.

·        Reduced fares between Derry/Londonderry and Belfast International Airport by up to £13 based on a return fare.

·        As well as contactless payment, free wi-fi onboard, the Aircoach Advantage loyalty program and flexible booking options.

The new service also means that travelers from the North West will now be able to arrive at Dublin Airport for early morning flights to the likes of key European destinations and major US cities.

Tickets can be purchased online or on board through a contactless payment system.

Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Aircoach

Dervla McKay, Managing Director of Aircoach said:

“We are thrilled to launch the new service that will further improve airport connectivity for those in the North West, reducing fares for passengers and enabling them to avail of early morning flights at the two main airports on the island of Ireland. It will be a game changer for passengers travelling to and from the region.”

“Since our acquisition announcement last year, we have been blown away with the response from local people and are excited to now finally see our iconic blue and orange Aircoach on North West roads.”

“Aircoach is fully committed to this region, and we look forward to ensuring that it is connected to major travel hubs, improving the attractiveness of the area as a place in which to visit, work and invest.”

Local Government Conference confirmed for February ahead of 2023 council elections

NILGA President Cllr Martin Kearney and Solace NI Chair Roger Wilson launching the 2023 Local Government Conference

The 2023 Local Government Conference has been confirmed for 23 February at the Silverbirch Hotel in Omagh.

Delivered by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), in partnership with the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE NI), the conference will be addressed by Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and hosted by journalist and broadcaster Mark Devenport.

The theme of the conference is ‘Responding to Future Challenges’ and the full-day event will focus on issues facing local government including financial sustainability, the climate emergency, revolutionising public services, and delivering cost effective and economical services for communities.

The conference comes at a crucial time for local government in Northern Ireland. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the collapse of central government at Stormont, and the cost-of-living crisis, local government is delivering more support and services to households and communities than ever before. The conference is an opportunity for vital dialogue on how local government can deliver innovative solutions to the challenges facing councils and create a local government sector fit for the future. 

The conference will explore collaboration between the private and public sector, how local government can influence wider societal outcomes, and how to ensure a positive step-change in culture and mindset within local councils.

Speakers will include:

  • Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

  • Kelly Beaver, Chief Executive, IPSOS.

  • Nadira Hussain, Chief Executive, Society for Innovation Technology and Modernisation.

  • Colette Kane, Local Government Auditor.

  • Dominic Campbell, Partner, The Institute for Impossible Ideas.

The conference will be supported by SBRI. The Northern Ireland Small Business Research Initiative provides the public sector with innovative solutions to problems that will drive improvement and allows suppliers to develop products and services working collaboratively with the public-sector, enabling them to develop new skills, expertise and markets.

Speaking as the conference was launched, Cllr Martin Kearney, President, Northern Ireland Local Government Association said:

“Local councils have consistently shown their resilience and capacity to respond to the needs of constituents during turbulent times. The past number of years have been extremely challenging with the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and further instability at the central government level in Northern Ireland. Our 11 local councils are delivering more services, for more citizens, with ever more stretched budgets, resources, and capacity. 

“This year’s Local Government Conference is an opportunity to seriously discuss and consider the challenges which lie before us as a sector but also how we address them collaboratively. Delivering more agile public services, in an era of digitalisation and sustainability, must become the number one aim for the local government sector. We are bringing together experts from the private sector and voluntary sector for this year’s conference to share their experiences, what works best to ensure better organisations, and how to successfully reach our ambitions.

Solace NI Chair Roger Wilson also added:

“2023 will be a significant year for councils in Northern Ireland. We continue to deal with the cost-of-living crisis for our households, businesses, and citizens while the next local government elections will provide councils with a fresh democratic mandate. The time is now to face these challenges head on and work together to find solutions which will create more sustainable local government for Northern Ireland.”

Northern Ireland short film An Irish Goodbye nominated for a BAFTA

Northern Ireland Screen funded short film, An Irish Goodbye, written and directed by Tom Berkeley and Ross White has been nominated for a BAFTA for Best British Short Film.

The film was also recently shortlisted for an Oscar. The BAFTA awards will take place on Sunday 19th February at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London.

Set against the backdrop of a working farm in rural Northern Ireland, An Irish Goodbye is a black comedy following the reunion of estranged brothers Turlough and Lorcan following the untimely death of their mother. Under the watchful eye of odd-ball parish priest Father O’Shea, the brothers’ pained reunion is worsened by the fact Turlough must now make new care arrangements for Lorcan, who has Down Syndrome. A robust and dedicated farmer, Lorcan’s dream of continuing to work the land he grew up on is thwarted when Turlough decides he’s sending him to live with their aunt on the other side of Ireland. But when the brothers discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mother, Lorcan senses an opportunity: he’ll only agree to leave the farm once he and Turlough have themselves completed every single wish on their mother’s list…all one hundred of them.

The film stars Seamus O’Hara (The Northman, Game of Thrones), James Martin (Marcella, Ups and Downs), Paddy Jenkins (Hunger) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones, Fortitude).

Writers and Directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White commented:

"We're absolutely over the moon to be honoured in this way alongside such a remarkable list of filmmakers. Thanks to our dedicated cast and crew this project has been a truly heartening experience from start to finish, and it's a dream come true to know that our wee film is really resonating with audiences. Our sincere thanks go to BAFTA - we cannot wait to celebrate this remarkable year of cinema at the Royal Festival Hall next month."

Reacting to the nominations, Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen said:

 “Everyone at Northern Ireland Screen is delighted for Ross and Tom and the entire team who made this beautiful short film. A BAFTA nomination is a tremendous endorsement to receive from industry, especially at this early stage in their careers.”

“Short films are all about new talent and storytelling and with An Irish Goodbye, Northern Ireland Screen got to support a brilliant package of new talent and pitch perfect storytelling. We wish the team behind An Irish Goodbye the best of luck for the awards next month.”