Contributor’s top tip
In Northern Ireland, context is everything, and it is impossible to successfully lobby without the correct, up-to-date information on the current views of the five main political parties that comprise the mandatory coalition executive in the region.
This presents lobbyists with the challenge of making sure that five different parties, with five different agendas, and five different sets of personalities receive the same brief, nuanced to ensure it can be accepted.
Add into the mix 12 over-lapping departments of government that have conjoined programmes, but have a tendency to operate in silos and it suggests that the work of the public affairs practitioner approaches the working miracles status.
However, the reality is that this very complexity forces the professional to stay focussed; sensitive to cultural sensitivities and the political dynamic that drives the power sharing government here.
Use of language is a potential minefield. For example, when referring to this part of the UK in your messaging it is advisable to stick to its official name – ‘Northern Ireland’ – or simply refer to it as the ‘region’; unless you are very sure of your audience.
Delivering messages to the Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP and the Alliance Party is challenging, but achievable.
Targeting your messages appropriately is perhaps the biggest challenge. It is important to understand that the power sharing administration in Northern Ireland is effectively a coalition within a coalition with the two largest parties – the DUP and Sinn Féin firmly in the driving seat; particularly where legislative change and overall departmental budgets allocations are concerned.
That said, individual ministers have significant autonomy when setting policy within their own department; particularly where spending priorities are concerned. This can lead to a silo rather than joined up approach to government in the region. However, for the lobbyist, this can negate the need for securing consensus across the five political parties within the executive.
Because there is no official opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the committees provide the necessary checks and balances to the Ministers and their departments but are also bound under statute to advise their respective Ministers. This provides public affairs professionals with another important and essential route to engage with and influence the policy making process.
There are those who believe that the devolved parts of the UK remain on the outlying reaches of importance to Westminster, but a comprehensive understanding of how the two interact is essential.
The region’s evolving legislative boundaries and competencies, increasingly at variance with other parts of the UK, means that understanding the political context and the framework of power are essential to the successful outcome of any public affairs campaign in Northern Ireland.
Will Chambré, Managing Director, Chambré Public Affairs LLP
After “lengthy discussions and negotiations” between our political parties, the First Minister and deputy First Minister last night put forward their proposals for the future of the Department of Justice and the Department for Employment and Learning. Of course, both departments are headed by Alliance Party Ministers.
The decision to extend the present cross-community vote provision to elect the Justice Minister beyond May 2012 comes as no real surprise; indeed, given the relatively farcical nature of nominating for the Justice ministry back in May 2011 (and of course the tense discussions of the previous year), placing such a politically sensitive department in the d’Hondt process was probably never considered as an option.
Appointing the Justice Minister in a process outside of d’Hondt has consistently drawn sharp criticism from the Ulster Unionists and SDLP – as things stand, both parties hold one Executive department, and must have casted envious glances at the smaller Alliance Party and its two seats at the table.
So, in a move that can be seen as an attempt to reduce the size of an apparently bloated Stormont (not, you understand, to placate the UUP and SDLP), the First and deputy First Ministers also announced that DEL will be wound up. This will take place as soon as the necessary legislative and administrative processes have been completed, which is expected to take three to four months.
The ramifications of this are particularly wide-ranging – aside from the fact that Dr Stephen Farry will be losing his ministerial Skoda Superb, the functions of DEL will be divided principally between Department of Education and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and, once the process is finalised, the d’Hondt process will then be re-run. Exciting stuff, or maybe not depending on your viewpoint.
OFMDFM want each of the parties to consider the proposals, and submit alternatives, by 5pm on Monday 16 January which, as Mick Fealty points out, must be a record for the shortest consultation period.
The move itself raises interesting questions about the legacy of DEL – for instance, which department will continue the work on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), and how effective will they be in progressing the skills agenda and higher education? Skills have both an economic and educational imperative, and it will be interesting to see how DEL’s portfolio is ‘carved up’ (to borrow a phrase from Alliance leader David Ford).
With the Financial Times last week reporting that Northern Ireland had shed the lowest percentage of public sector jobs in the UK, it is doubtful there will be large amounts of job losses as a result of the merger (sorry, ‘efficiency savings’ in politics double speak). One would hope that the merger results in a more co-ordinated approach to skills, job creation and education. With youth unemployment in Northern Ireland soaring, let’s keep our crossed for a smooth amalgamation.
Recently elected SDLP leader and MP/MLA for South Belfast, Dr Alasdair McDonnell has entered 2012 in a blaze of publicity, announcing his plan for the rotating his party’s sole Executive ministry and, in the most widely reported part of his new year interview with the Irish News, advocating a “reasonably generous sliding exit” and pension provision to allow former MLAs to avoid falling into the “poverty” trap.
The goings on in the SDLP were becoming a bit dull – after November’s four-way leadership contest, the defeated candidates pledged support to their new party leader. Boring! Well, with a new year comes a new drama – the party’s deputy leader Dolores Kelly and Lisburn mayor Brian Heading have both publicly criticised their dear leader. So much for the addressing the old problems of organisation and in-fighting then.
McDonnell responded in a defiant press statement arguing that, if MLAs were to be paid “starvation wages”, areas of deprivation may not be addressed adequately. He said that a good salary and pension scheme were vital to encourage people to feel as though they could participate in elected politics. There is now no trace of this statement on the party’s website, while an apology for any offence caused was issued on Thursday (05 January) afternoon.
The SDLP leader’s comments have ensured that the media spotlight is focused again on whether elected representatives are paid too much, whether there’s too many of them and how we can attract the best quality candidates (and, yes, any false outrage is equally as tiring as the debate). Interestingly, the BBC’s Jim Fitzpatrick has been analysing whether there is a correlation between pay and quality of representative over on Twitter; there doesn’t seem to be a conclusive link. Indeed, many community workers employed in the areas of deprivation that Dr McDonnell alluded to might be offended by any suggestion that monetary recompense influenced their efforts.
The odd thing was that issue of giving MLAs “starvation wages” was not even on the agenda, with the review of MLAs pay now out of their hands (imagine the headlines if they could decide their own salaries…). An MLA’s basic annual salary is around £43k – nearly double the regional average of £ 23,185. When you add to this the generous Resettlement Grant paid out to retiring MLAs and MPs on top their pension entitlement, their lot doesn’t seem that bad in this age of economic austerity and uncertainty.
The end of 2011 saw public sector workers striking in opposition to significant changes to their pension provision. The beginning of 2012 has seen Alasdair McDonnell highlighting the (not so) burning issue of MLA pension provision. For the leader of a centre-left social democratic party (indeed, a labour party to founding fathers Fitt and Devlin) to use words such as “poverty” and “starvation” in connection with our politicians pay is arguably a PR disaster – something the sometimes seemingly hapless SDLP can ill afford. If only he had a party colleague who was well versed in providing PR advice…
Meanwhile, the current Environment Minister Alex Attwood now has just over a year to plan for a reduction in his pay packet – with the SDLP ministerial post due to be rotated every 18 months. Seemingly, the SDLP have taken the lead from the DUP – with their Finance and Health ministries to be rotated in 2013.
Dr McDonnell’s needy party colleagues in the Assembly will perhaps be delighted to hear of his plans to share the Ministerial “cake” out over the coming years; rather than selecting a candidate purely on the basis of his or her ability for the job, the next SDLP Minister will have just 18 months to build their public profile in the Executive, ahead of the next Assembly election (taking place on the back of a reduction in the numbers of constituency and consequently seat). By this stage, the game of musical chairs will have begun as MLAs (and MPs) scramble to ensure they are not left without a seat to contest. The alternative, a life of “starvation” and “poverty” is too terrible to contemplate…
Chambré Public Affairs currently has two places available on its internship programme from January 2012. The placements are for three-six months. The closing date for applications is Monday, 02 January 2011.
The programme has provided past and current interns with valuable hands on experience of working as part of a closely knit team in a busy regionally based public affairs agency. Many of our interns have gone on to pursue successful careers within the industry.
Our interns are responsible for:
- supporting the delivery of our monitoring and research service to clients (this service covers the NI Assembly, NI Executive, cross border bodies, Westminster, NI media and other stakeholders relevant to our clients)
- providing event management support and assistance to the Chambré team; including the compilation of guest lists, distribution of invitations to events; managing RSVPs and on the day support
- helping to maintain our social media presence on the web.
Anyone interested in applying for a place on the programme should email their CV, together with a covering note, to Arlene McDermott at arlene@chambrepa.com.
If you know of any friends, relations or colleagues who might be interested in an internship with Chambré, please share this post with them.
Working hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (although we are flexible)
Salary: N/A
Expenses: Fixed monthly allowance paid to cover expenses
Chambré Public Affairs LLP is a leading Northern Ireland government and media relations consultancy dedicated to delivering successful outcomes for those seeking to influence the public policy agenda in the region.
We provide the tools that allow our clients to deliver messages to government, the Assembly, the media and other stakeholders. Our experience encompasses Belfast, Dublin, London and Brussels, and we have particular expertise in the development and implementation of integrated political and media campaigns.
We are delighted to announce that, due to our recent expansion, Chambré Public Affairs LLP has moved premises to the heart of Belfast City Centre. We now have a fantastic view of the City (including Stormont).
Our new contact details are as follows:
Suite 74
Victoria Place
20 Wellwood Street
Belfast
BT12 5FX
Please note our telephone numbers have also changed:
Switchboard Number: 028 9026 8600
Direct Lines:
Will Chambré 028 9026 8604
Aodhán Connolly 028 9026 8605
Arlene McDermott 028 9026 8603
Dan Rattigan 028 9026 8602
Ashleigh Simpson 028 9026 8607
Great news!
Downpatrick-based FORDE CAMPBELL LLP has been shortlisted for the Europas Tech StartUp Awards in the Best Service Provider category. To vote for the firm go to http://theeuropas.com/vote/.
A specialist commercial, technology, IP and media law practice, it is the only Northern Ireland entry. Another success story for our region.
Parliament Week, an exciting new initiative, launches later this year. Free events and activities will run across the UK, aiming to build greater awareness, understanding of and engagement with parliamentary democracy.
In Derry/Londonderry, there will be an all day public workshop, presented by members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, including the chairman, Laurence Robertson MP. This event is hosted by the UK Parliamentary Outreach team, who will be joined by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Outreach team to present workshops on both the work of Select Committees and the UK Parliament’s scrutiny of legislation.
The event takes place on Thursday 3rd November, 10am-3pm including lunch at the Waterside Theatre, Glendermott Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6BGD.
This is a fantastic opportunity to meet Members of the committee and the Parliamentary Outreach team to find out more about how the UK Parliament works and how Northern Ireland Affairs Committee examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Northern Ireland Office.
If you would like to register for this event, please contact the Parliamentary Outreach team on 0207 219 1650 or parliamentaryoutreach@parliament.uk. When registering please could you specify if you have any particular mobility, hearing or dietary requirements.
| Latest Consultations |
|
Consultation on Review of Youth Justice [DOJ]
Social Investment Fund [OFMDFM] Coleraine Town Centre Draft Masterplan [DSD] Draft Policy for Car Parking Provision and Management in the Health and Social Care Sector [DHSSPS] Amendments to the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme Order (NI) 2007 [DHSSPS] Consultation Document on Vehicles Guidance [DOE] Review of Maternity Services in Northern Ireland [DHSSPS] Please be advised that the Chambré online consultation register has been updated. To view all current and past public consultations from the NIO and NI Executive Departments click here. |
| Closing Consultations |
| Consultation on development of the Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive [DETI]
Consultation on Sex Offender Notification and Violent Offender Orders [DOJ] For information on our government and media relations services, please visit www.chambrepa.com or contact Will Chambré on 028 9066 1006. |
Latest Consultations
No new consultations.
Please be advised that the Chambré online consultation register has been updated. To view all current and past public consultations from the NIO and NI Executive Departments click here.
Closing Consultations
Valuing people, valuing their participation, a strategy for Personal and Public Involvement [HSCB]
For information on our government and media relations services, please visit www.chambrepa.com or contact Will Chambré on 028 9066 1006.
Chambré Public Affairs currently has one place available on its internship programme from the start of October 2011. The placements are for six months. The closing date for applications is Monday 19 September 2011.
The programme has provided past and current interns with valuable hands on experience of working as part of a closely knit team in a busy regionally based public affairs agency. Many of our interns have gone on to pursue successful careers within the industry.
Our interns are responsible for:
- supporting the delivery of our monitoring and research service to clients (this service covers the NI Assembly, NI Executive, cross border bodies, Westminster, NI media and other stakeholders relevant to our clients)
- providing event management support and assistance to the Chambré team; including the compilation of guest lists, distribution of invitations to events; managing RSVPs and on the day support
- helping to maintain our social media presence on the web.
Anyone interested in applying for a place on the programme should email their CV, together with a covering note, to Arlene McDermott at arlene@chambrepa.com.
If you know of any friends, relations or colleagues who might be interested in an internship with Chambré, please share this post with them.
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