Chambré

Public affairs and policy advocacy in Northern Ireland and Ireland

[PubAffairs @PubAffairs]

News: @chambrepa expands into #Wales, strengthening UK-wide expertise --> read all about it on the #PublicAffairs industry #news page @WillChambre : https://t.co/tKqgAGUfQL

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Our Director @bjacollins was pleased to talk with An Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD along with writer @ClaireMitchell2 at last night’s Lord Trimble lecture in @qubelfast. Ben shared his thanks for the Taoiseach's commitment to the Shared Island Initiative in bringing people together across Ireland and building physical links.

[Forum for Better Homes NI @BetterHousingNI]

Earlier this week our forum members heard from Andy Smith, Head of Impact Services at the Good Economy Partnership. Andy delivered a presentation on 'Place-based Impact Investment', with Niall Sheridan chairing a Q&A discussion.

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Excited to be at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis today in Belfast!

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

Yesterday, the APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling hosted a roundtable event at Stormont, bringing together politicians, healthcare professionals, frontline service providers, officials, and experts to discuss the future of gambling treatment and support services in NI

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Chambré are looking for someone with a passion for politics to join our public affairs team for Northern Ireland and Ireland. The successful candidate will join our busy Belfast office, helping us support a fantastic range of clients.

For the full job description, click here - https://t.co/QHHYFSwRkJ

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

Thanks also to Chair of the Justice Committee @paulfrewDUP for highlighting gambling addiction during his remarks. Pre-sentencing reports are a vital opportunity to direct people experiencing gambling harm towards support and rehabilitation

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

APG Chair @mcguigan_philip speaking during Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill debate on the link between gambling addiction and crime

Our asks:
1. Screen for gambling harms during pre-sentencing reports
2. Recognise gambling as a mitigating factor in Sentencing Guidelines

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

Today the APG met to hear a briefing from Claire Donegan and Barry Grant from @ExternProbGam on the organisation's important work and what it is doing to support people experiencing gambling-related harms.

[Chambré @chambrepa]

The Finance Minister's proposals for the draft Multi-Year Budget for 2026-29/30, which have not been agreed by the Executive, have been published. The proposals are out for consultation which will close on 3 March 2026.

Read more: https://t.co/A1AOoPqN6K

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

On 12 Sept, representatives from the @niassembly and @OireachtasNews joined @PFA_NI, @officialgaa, @RugbyPlayersIRE & @GambleWithLives at a 5-a-side tournament in Stormont to highlight the proliferation of gambling advertising in sport and the ongoing impact of #GamblingHarm.

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Helen McEntee's new portfolio includes responsibility for the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland, and North-South Cooperation

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Paschal Donohoe has resigned as Minister for Finance, to take up a new role at the World Bank
Tánaiste Simon Harris moves to Finance Minister
Helen McEntee moves to Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence
Hildegarde Naughton moves to Minister for Education and Youth

[Belfast Live @BelfastLive]

The Northern Ireland Assembly's All-Party Group on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling has written a letter to the Chancellor, expressing grave concern over Treasury proposals to 'harmonise' tax rates for different forms of remote gambling
https://t.co/kubeHOfI2s

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Today, Lord Murphy was before the Economy Committee to discuss his review of the Windsor Framework, which was published in September. See below for a summary...

- The review had two main themes: investigating the Windsor Framework’s democratic deficit and the impact it has on businesses in Northern Ireland
- Both the Terms of Reference and the deadline for the review were restrictive
- Lord Murphy requested a meeting with EU officials while completing his review, but this was denied
- On EU legislation, Northern Ireland’s voice must be heard before EU legislation relevant to Northern Ireland is tabled
- Lord Murphy acknowledged that SMEs face more barriers and bureaucracy associated with dual market access than larger businesses do
- For businesses, he recommended the UK Government produce a ‘one-stop-shop’ of easily accessible information on available schemes
- Lord Murphy was hopeful that the UK Government will accept the recommendations from his review, as well as the recommendations from the House of Lords Democratic Scrutiny Committee report

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

Today the APG met to discuss the potential harmonisation of gambling taxes across the industry as part of the forthcoming budget in GB. Members received a presentation from @jranoyes from @SMFthinktank outlining the think-tank's recent reports and approach to the issue.

[Chambré @chambrepa]

Next week the @niassembly will discuss:

Monday 20 October
-Public Petition: Scrap the Rates Exemption for Big Business
-Executive Committee Business: Second Stage: RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27)
-Question Time: The Executive Office, Minister for the Economy
-Private Members’ Business: Motion: Strengthening Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Preparedness

Tuesday 21 October
-Question Time: Education
-Private Members’ Business: Local Growth Fund; Reducing the Level of Unpaid Rates;
-Adjournment Debate: Improving Infrastructure in Castlereagh South

[Chambré @chambrepa]

A virtual meeting to discuss the establishment of an @niassembly All-Party Group on Artificial Intelligence will be held on Wednesday 22nd October at 3pm.

[Reducing Harm Related to Gambling APG @GamHarmAPG]

On 3 November, @UlsterUni will host an event highlighting the impact of Gambling Harm in the workplace. Attendees will examine gambling's 'ripple effects' on individuals, colleagues, organisations & society. The event is led by @erinmcevoy3.

Sign up here: https://t.co/gxCSUzCLTZ