Tag: Northern Ireland Office

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Nazia Latif to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Nazia Latif will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024 for a period of three years.

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

Biography of Appointee

Nazia is Co-Founder of Right Practice, where she helps organisations meet their human rights and equality commitments. She has worked with clients in Northern Ireland and internationally on a range of research and training projects, including the Asia Pacific Forum and the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. She is currently an Authority Member of the Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority. She also serves on the NI Committee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and is an Independent Assessor for Diversity Mark. Nazia previously held the position of Investigations and Policy adviser at the NI Human Rights Commission. Nazia is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, completed her MA at the University of Durham and completed her PhD at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Terms of Appointment

• This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
• The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
• The position is 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.

Nazia Latif has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Mairead Holder as a Commissioner to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Mrs Holder will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024.

Mrs Holder is currently a Barrister and Official Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Mairead formerly held the position of Senior Principal Legal Officer on Human Rights for the Attorney General’s Office.

Background

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (the ‘NIHRC’) was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The NIHRC was established in 1999 and operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.
Its powers and duties are set out in legislation, and it operates in compliance with UN General Assembly resolution 48/134 (the ‘Paris Principles’) on National Human Rights Institutions. The NIHRC’s functions include keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights and promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland.

Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at: https://nihrc.org/about-us

Terms of appointment

• This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
• The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £7,500.
• The position is 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.

Mrs Holder has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 August 2024.

The statement follows the meetings held with the South East Fermanagh Foundation, and the Victims and Survivors Forum in Belfast.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn MP yesterday (Wednesday 28 August) begun the process of consulting with victims, survivors and families as part of the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

The Secretary of State held meetings with the South East Fermanagh Foundation, and the Victims and Survivors Forum in Belfast.

Speaking after his meetings, Hilary Benn said:

“I know that many victims, survivors and families felt ignored by the previous government’s approach to legacy. Indeed that is part of the reason why the Legacy Act was so widely opposed.

“In my meetings with the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation today, I reiterated that the views of victims and survivors will be central to this Government’s approach to legacy.

“I am grateful to all those with whom I have spoken today, many of whom shared very personal stories about the loss of loved ones during the Troubles. I look forward to continuing discussions in the period ahead.”

Notes to editors:

• The Government has committed to finding a way forward on legacy that can command support across communities in Northern Ireland.
• In July, the Secretary of State began the process of repealing the Legacy Act’s conditional immunity scheme. Full statement here.
• The Government has also pledged to reverse the current prohibition on bringing new civil proceedings and to propose measures to allow inquests previously halted to proceed.
• The Secretary of State has also committed to consulting widely on the further changes that are needed, including strengthening the ICRIR’s independence, recognising that different people affected will hold different views about the best way forward.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 13 August 2024.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Fleur Anderson, has visited Cookstown to meet with local organisations Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN) and Super Stars Café.

NIRWN is a membership based organisation with a mission to amplify and articulate the voice of rural women at local, regional and strategic level. The Minister took the opportunity to hear directly from service users and members of NIRWN, discussing the most pressing priorities of rural women in Northern Ireland.

Founded in 2005, Super Stars Café is a unique and dynamic charity whose purpose is to provide learning opportunities and new skills for people with learning disabilities which are not available elsewhere.

Speaking following her visit to Co Tyrone, Minister Anderson said:

“Northern Ireland’s community sector is united on many issues and I’ve been privileged to meet many groups across Northern Ireland already.

“I wanted to take today as an opportunity to focus on the fantastic work of NIRWN and hear about the issues most pressing to women in rural communities.

“It was also great to hear about the work of the Super Stars Café and how they enable young people in the local community to reach their full potential.”

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 1 August 2024.

The Secretary of State has extended the current backdating period deadline by two years from 31 August 2024 to 31 August 2026.

As part of the UK Government’s review of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, has today [01 August 2024] extended the current backdating period deadline by two years from 31 August 2024 to 31 August 2026.

The scheme was opened in August 2021 to provide acknowledgement payments to individuals who were permanently injured in Troubles-related incidents.

Following concerns raised by a number of individuals and organisations, including groups who represent victims and survivors of the Troubles, that some potential applicants could lose out on backdated payments, the Secretary of State has moved to ensure all potential beneficiaries of the scheme have sufficient time to consider making an application.

This extension will allow anyone deemed eligible in the five-year lifespan of the scheme to avail of a payment backdated to 2014.

Explaining his decision to extend the backdating period of the scheme, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said: 

“Approximately 40,000 people were injured during the Troubles, and it is essential that we recognise the great hurt that was caused during this dark period in our history.

“The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, overseen by the Victims Payments Board, has made progress in making acknowledgement payments to permanently injured victims of the Troubles.

“But with the deadline approaching, there was a risk that some potential applicants would miss out on backdated payments. I have therefore decided to extend the period for which backdated payments are available by a further two years.

“I hope this will assist both those who have suffered and are applying to the scheme, and those who are supporting applicants.”

Notes to editor:

• The UK Government, in the absence of the NI Executive, made Regulations for this scheme in January 2020. These Regulations established ‘The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme’ (the scheme) and provisions for the ‘Victims’ Payments Board’ (the Board). This scheme is a devolved matter and is delivered by the Victims Payments Board.
• The purpose of the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme (TPDPS) is to provide acknowledgement payments to individuals who were permanently injured in Troubles related incidents. It has been open since August 2021.
• The Regulations make it clear that payments to eligible applicants will be backdated to the date of the Stormont House Agreement (December 2014) for the first three years of the scheme’s operation. The scheme will close for new applications in August 2026, 5 years after it opened.
• The Secretary of State has the power to extend either of these dates, and both of these issues were considered as part of the Secretary of State’s review of the scheme. The full report on the review will be published before the deadline imposed by the Regulations, which is August 31st 2024.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 11 July 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, and the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, met this evening [Thursday 11 July] at Hillsborough Castle.

The discussions marked the first official engagement between the two, and comes as both the UK and Irish Governments pledge a reset in relations. They were joined by Fleur Anderson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Northern Ireland Office.

The Secretary of State reiterated the UK Government’s responsibility as co-signatory to the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, emphasising the importance of maintaining political stability and peace in Northern Ireland. The meeting highlighted the shared goals of the UK and Irish Governments and the importance of continued cooperation and dialogue in future.

The Secretary of State also stressed the need to address the legacy of the past in a way that is supported by victims and survivors and is compliant with human rights obligations. Mr Benn welcomed the news that the Irish Government has committed to assisting with the Omagh Bombing Inquiry and encouraged them to take all steps necessary to facilitate its work.

The Secretary of State pledged to continue  implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith, protecting the UK internal market and supporting Northern Ireland’s economy to thrive in the longer term.

Speaking afterwards, The Secretary of State said: 

“It was a pleasure to meet the Tánaiste to discuss the UK Government’s commitment to economic growth, peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and to foster renewed, close relations with our nearest neighbour.

“As co-signatory of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, I reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to work with the Irish Government for the betterment of the people of Northern Ireland.

“Our relationship with Ireland is of great importance and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Irish Government to reset and strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 24 May 2024.

NI Secretary, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has announced the re-appointment of Vilma Patterson to the Boundary Commission for NI for a further five years.

Background

The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland’s role is to review the number, names, designation and boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland and to submit reports with recommendations to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for making appointments to the role of members to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. The appointment is made in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.

Biography of Appointee

Vilma Patterson MBE was formerly a Director and Shareholder of John G Duff (Annadale) Ltd and is a past member of the Training Committee for the Construction Industry Training Board for Northern Ireland. She was the founding Chair of the Women in Business Network and a former Board Member of the Women on the Move Network which works to support and encourage female entrepreneurship.

Ms Patterson has previously held a  number of appointments, including Chairman of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland, non-executive member of the Audit Committee of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and a Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland. Vilma was also a Member and Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board for HMP Maghaberry 1996 to 2008, Chairman of the Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards for Northern Ireland and a member of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland from 2006-2010. From 2011 to 2013 she was a member of the Prison Service Pay Review Body and a Member of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body from 2015-2020.  She is currently a member of the Parole Commission for Northern Ireland.

Terms of Appointment

• This position is part-time for a period of five years ending on 30 June 2029.
• The position attracts a daily remuneration of £505.50 per day.
• The position is not pensionable.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the appointment process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

Vilma Patterson has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment is regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA).

Statutory Requirements

The appointment is made by the Secretary of State in accordance with Schedule 1 Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.

The press release issued by the Department of Northern Ireland on 9 May 2024.

The visit highlighted the crucial work the Air Ambulance carry out and how the UK Government can continue to support the charity.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, has visited the Air Ambulance site in Lisburn to show the UK Government’s continuing support to this vital service.

Along with touring the base, the Secretary of State met some of the HEMs crew members and was able to hear how the service has impacted the lives of local people and the generosity that keeps the charity going.

The Air Ambulance works in partnership with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to provide the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the region.

The Secretary of State also heard how on average, every single day in Northern Ireland, two individuals find themselves in critical need of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State Chis Heaton-Harris said:

It has been a real privilege to visit the Air Ambulance site today and hear about the amazing work that is ongoing to help people all across Northern Ireland.

Over 4,000 people have benefited from this service since it started in 2017, and that is thanks to the generosity and kindness of those who fundraise and donate.

As the prime minister said during his trip here a few months ago, Northern Ireland faces a brighter future and today’s visit highlights the vital work that can be done when people work together.

Ian Crowe, Joint Vice-Chair of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

Together with our Partners Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, we are delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to our operational base.

It is only with continued support of our donors that we can continue to be there for every patient that needs the service.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 12 April 2024.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the new appointment to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has announced the appointment of Jim McCooe to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Mr McCooe will take up the appointment with effect from 1 May 2024 for a period of three years.

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

Biography of Appointee

Jim McCooe is currently a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee at the Department for Health Northern Ireland. He also holds the Business Improvement Director position at Healthy Kidz. Formerly he was a senior executive at Lloyds Banking Group and held a number of board positions including Trustee of Halifax Foundation and Marlay Trust.

Terms of appointment

• This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 30 April 2027.
• The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
• The position is 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.

Mr McCooe has declared that he has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 12 March 2024.

Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, is visiting Washington D.C. and New York ahead of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

While there, the Secretary of State will conduct routine meetings with a number of US figures, and update them on the current political situation now that the Assembly and Executive are fully functioning.

He will also engage with several business organisations and promote Northern Ireland as a fantastic place to live, work and invest, highlighting the thriving creative industries and innovative spirit within Northern Ireland that global investors witnessed at last year’s Investment Summit.

The celebrations cover a number of days with events in both locations and will provide an opportunity to further build and expand on the US-UK relationship as well as capitalise on the momentum of the Secretary of State’s visit to Washington at the end of January.

Before departing for the United States, the Secretary of State said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to represent the UK Government in the United States this week as we begin the celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day.

“The UK and US do more together than any other two countries in the world. The special relationship is highly valued by this Government and we continue to appreciate the strong relationships we’ve formed from leader level down.

“I look forward to meeting with US representatives and business organisations to update them on the monumental achievement of the return of power sharing in Northern Ireland and to highlight the fantastic investment opportunities waiting to be seized.”