§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Angela Hegarty from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; by how many new members; and whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland informed the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that the vacancy created by Angela Hegarty's resignation would be filled by the end of September 2001. [HL1306]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on Thursday 22 November, his decision to appoint four new members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. These appointments resulted from an open competition launched in February. No fixed timetable had been set for the conclusion of the process. During a meeting in September, Ministers had advised the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that an announcement was unlikely to be made before the end of September, but no specific timescale was discussed.
79WA
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have asked the present commissioners of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission if they wish to be reappointed; if so, when; and why there have been no advertisements which would allow members of the public to apply to be commissioners. [HL1383]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAll members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, including the Chief Commissioner were written to in August. The letter asked if they wished to be reappointed as commission members but stressed this was an administrative inquiry only, and was not to be construed as a guarantee of reappointment.
Advertisements appeared in the press in February, inviting members of the public to apply for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. A full and open appointment process has since taken place, and the successful applicants were announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Thursday 22 November.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the procedure to be used in the selection of members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will undertake to ensure that the members will reflect all aspects of society in the Province. [HL1384]
§ Lord Williams of MostynAppointments to NIHRC are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Dame Rennie Fritchie, and the legislative provisions governing the process, including Section 68(3) and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Following an open competition launched earlier this year, the Secretary of State announced the appointments of four new commissioners. The Secretary of State, is satisfied that he has discharged his duty to secure, so far as possible, that the commissioners as a group are representative of the community in Northern Ireland.