Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

HL Deb 15 January 2001 vol 620 cc92-3WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will identify those nominees for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission who were proposed or supported by the Government of the Irish Republic. [HL182]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Irish Government indicated their support for the candidatures of a number of applicants for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. It is not the practice to reveal the details of private representations of this kind.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What arrangments will be put in place to fill any vacancies that may occur on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; what will be the appointment procedure; and whether appointments will reflect those sections of the community which consider themselves to be not represented on the Commission. [HL214]

Lord Falconer of Thorton

Appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are made in accordance with the Code of Practice and Guidance on Appointments to Public Bodies issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the requirements of Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which states that the Secretary of State shall as far as practicable secure that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland.