Chambré Public Affairs

Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Executive budget sustainability plan published Yesterday (3 October), Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA published the Budget Sustainability Plan following agreement by the Executive.The Plan sets out the need to deliver a balanced budget in 2024-25 and future years, including looking at options to deliver efficiencies, generate income and to examine fiscal devolution. The Plan also sets out how the Executive intends to meet the condition in …

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Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week Housing developers could be asked to pay water costs Under new proposals being considered by the Minister for Infrastructure John O’Dowd housing developers could be asked to pay to upgrade water treatment works to address NI’s ongoing housebuilding crisis. The Minister told BBC News that his Department is examining if new legislation will be required to allow for these developer contributions. In 2023, housebuilding in …

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  Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week NI party leaders write to UK Government about City Deals On Tuesday (17 September) the leaders of the five main Stormont parties wrote to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, asking them to reconsider the decision to pause two “City Deals” in NI. City deals are regeneration funding packages worth more than £1.5bn, with around £600m …

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Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland. What you need to know this week Programme for Government published for consultation On Monday (9 September), the NI Executive published its draft Programme for Government (PfG) 2024 – 2027 for public consultation. ‘Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most’, acknowledges that the Executive are working in a reduced mandate of just three years with public services remain under pressure and funding failing to keep pace with demand. There is therefore a recognition …

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Political, policy and regulatory developments impacting Northern Ireland What you need to know this week NI Executive agrees programme for government Yesterday (5 September), the NI Executive agreed a draft programme for government, seven months after the restoration of devolved institutions. It marks the first time the Executive has had an agreed programme for government since 2015. First Minister Michelle O’Neill acknowledged that the programme had been agreed under tight financial restraints, but described the plans set out in the …

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Developments impacting Northern Ireland. What you need to know this week Mike Nesbitt set to be sole UUP leadership candidate On Tuesday (27 August) Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that he will run to become Leader of the UUP, seven years after originally standing down from the position. Former Leader Doug Beattie stepped down last week (19 August), citing “irreconcilable differences” with party officers. According to BBC News, Mr Nesbitt is the only MLA to put his name forward for …

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