§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the Children's Commissioner in Northern Ireland. [152590]
§ Mr. SpellarMr. Nigel Williams was appointed as the first Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland on 1 October 2003. His powers and duties, as an independent champion for children and young people, are set out in the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. This legislation establishes the primary aim of the commissioner which is to
'safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people'.In the period since his appointment, the commissioner has met with children and young people throughout Northern Ireland to listen to their concerns. He has also engaged with political representatives, and statutory, voluntary and community organisations dealing with children and young people's issues.
He has already established a unique identity and branding with a dedicated interactive website, www. niccy.org, and has begun the process of recruiting his staff team, with the involvement of young people. He has also commissioned a base-line study into how Northern Ireland is implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.