The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable
MP, has announced the
reappointment of seven Commissioners (Maureen Brunt, Siobhan
Cullen, Ellen Finlay, Monica Fitzpatrick, Colin Kennedy, and Preeti Yellamaty) and
the new appointment of Harry Robinson to the Equality Commission
for Northern Ireland.
Background
The Equality Commission was established in 1999, as part of the
implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It took over the
functions of the Fair Employment Commission, Equal Opportunities
Commission, and Council for Racial Equality and Northern Ireland
Disability Council.
The Commission is responsible for policing the Statutory Duty on
all public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to
the need to promote equality of opportunity across a range of
areas including religion, political opinion, gender, race, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, disability and those with and
without dependants. The Commission is funded and sponsored by The
Executive Office. Further information about the work of the
Commission can be found at:
https://www.equalityni.org/Home
Biographies for the seven re-appointees can be found on the
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland website:
https://www.equalityni.org/HeaderLinks/About-Us/Our-structure#gsc.tab=0
In addition, Harry Robinson is currently employed as Head of
School at Belfast Metropolitan College and has a background of
over 20 years working in Further Education to provide equality of
opportunity for those facing barriers to education. He has a lead
role in the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) for refugees and those seeking asylum in Northern Ireland
as well as the delivery of Community Education and Lifelong
Learning. Harry is also a member of the Board of Trustees for
Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) a local charity that works
to promote the rights and voice of children in care and care
leavers in Northern Ireland.
Terms of Appointment
- These positions are part-time for a period of three years
ending on 31 May 2028. Both the reappointments and new
appointment will commence from 1 June 2025.
- The positions receive a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
- The positions are not pensionable.
Political Activity
All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the
statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the
selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan
recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political
activity in defined categories to be made public.
None have declared any political activity in the past five
years.
Regulation
These appointments are regulated by the Office of the
Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA).
Statutory Requirements
The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality
Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern
Ireland Act 1998.
