Northern Ireland Tourist Board (Hansard, 28 January 1992)

Mr. John D. Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Mr. Eddie Friel ceased to be chief executive of the Northern Ireland tourist board; what financial provision has been made him arising from this cessation of his employment; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Needham
I understand from the chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board that Mr. E. J. Friel resigned as chief executive on 11 December 1991 and that, following his resignation, financial provision was made in accordance with the terms of Mr. Friel's appointment to the staff of the board.

Mr. John D. Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the basis of payment to the chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board; how many hours per week he works for the board; if he is involved in its day-to-day management; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Needham
Payment to the chairman of the board is on the basis that he devotes 2.5 days per week to its business. The board is responsible for the discharge of its statutory functions and it is for the board to decide what authority to delegate to its employees and how this is to be discharged.

Mr. John D. Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the hon. Hugh O'Neill was appointed as chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board; how many persons have served as chief executive since that date; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Needham
Mr. O'Neill was first appointed chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board on 1 July 521W 1988 for a term of three years and, reappointed on 1 July 1991 for a further three-year term. Following the Government's review of tourism in 1989, the then chief executive decided to take early retirement and was, at the invitation of the board succeeded by a Northern Ireland civil servant seconded to the board as executive director to help implement the new tourism strategy. Early last year, the civil servant indicated that, on completing 40 years' service in the Northern Ireland civil service, he would wish to retire in the late summer. The board decided therefore to recruit a chief executive and Mr. E. J. Friel was appointed with effect from 1 September 1991. Mr. Friel resigned, for personal and family reasons, on 11 December 1991 and the board appointed the deputy chief executive to temporarily act as the chief executive.

Mr. John D. Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland tourist board will advertise the position of chief executive; if there will be any change in the terms of reference for this post from those previously applicable and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Needham
I understand from the chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board that the chief executive post will be advertised very shortly and that there will be no significant change in the chief executive's responsibilities from those previously advertised.