Tag: Northern Ireland Office

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 2 February 2024.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment members to CCEA.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Ms Jackie Bartley, Dr Michael Johnston MBE, Ms Sheila McClelland, Professor Susan Morison and Ms Maire Thompson as new members of the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments were made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

The new members took up post on 2 February 2024 and will join Mrs Paula Leitch who was re-appointed for a further term of four years on 26 October 2023.

These new members will bring a wealth of private and public sector experience to the CCEA Council. The successful candidates have extensive backgrounds in such areas as governance, strategic decision making, professional knowledge, analytical thinking and working with others. Their significant knowledge and skills will play a key role in underpinning the work of the Council.

Biography

Ms Jackie Bartley is currently Principal of St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast.  She was a teacher for the past 33 years and a school leader for 13 years and has been a member of several Department of Education Practitioner Groups.  She has been the post primary Chairperson of the National Executive of the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and has recently taken up the role of President. Ms Bartley has a thorough knowledge of the curriculum and qualifications, was formerly a co-opted Principal CCEA Council member and has worked closely with the CCEA Director of Education and her Team. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Dr Michael Johnston MBE is a former Chief Executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland.  He is a former visiting Professor to the Ulster University Business School and Chairman of CAFRE’s College Advisory Group, a former Board member of the European Milk Forum and former Chairman of the International Dairy Federation’s Standing Committee on Marketing.  He is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Dr Johnston is a Board member of Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health.  He does not hold any other public appointments.

Ms Sheila McClelland is currently Chief Executive of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and is a Board member of Cooperation Ireland and a member of the Governing Body of Maynooth University.  She was previously Director of Corporate Services at CCEA and was Chairperson of the Board of the Consumer Council (CCNI), a Board member of NI Co-operation Overseas (NICO) and was a NI committee member on the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Ms McClelland holds one other public appointment as a Board member of the Communities Relations Council for which she receives no remuneration.

Professor Susan Morison is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Healthcare Education at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). Formerly she was Director of Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Education, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Deputy Director of the QUB Dental School and Director of the DEL-funded, Centre for Excellence in Interprofessional Education (IPE). As Honorary Professor she undertakes unremunerated activities for QUB including PhD supervision, admissions interviews and contributes to healthcare education research projects. She has also been an Education Associate of the General Dental Council and served on a number of education-related committees.  Professor Morison does not hold any other public appointments.

Ms Máire Thompson is currently principal of Hazelwood Integrated College. Newtownabbey, and formerly principal of Malone College, Belfast.  She is an Associate Assessor with the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) and an Associate of the Association of Education Advisers (AoEA). She is a member of various educational stakeholder groups, including the CCEA Curriculum and Assessment Principals’ Group, the Excluded Lives Advisory Group and the A Fair Start Stakeholders’ Reference Group.  She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to Education by Ulster University in 2022, the same year that Hazelwood College won TES UK School of the Year. She was awarded the Pearson UK Principal of the Year in 2017.  Ms Thompson does not hold any other public appointments.

Mrs Paula Leitch is a former Assistant Principal of the Belfast Model School for Girls and former member of the Belfast Education and Library Board. She is currently a Director of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council and a member of Stranmillis College Board.

Details of body

CCEA is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Education and is responsible for keeping under review all aspects of the curriculum, examinations and assessment for schools including developing, conducting and moderating qualifications and assessments, and developing resources to support the implementation of the curriculum. Further information about the work of the organisation can be found at www.ccea.org.uk.

Terms Of Appointment

The five new appointments will be from the date of appointment until 25 October 2027. The time commitment is approximately 2 days per month. Members are not remunerated but are eligible to claim travel and other expenses necessarily incurred while carrying out their CCEA duties. They are non-pensionable.

The one re-appointment commenced on 26 October 2023 until 25 October 2027.

Regulation

In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments have been made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022, and in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Ms Bartley, Dr Johnston MBE, Ms McClelland, Ms Maire Thompson and Ms Paula Leitch have not declared any political activity in the last five years. Professor Susan Morison has declared that during the last five years she has undertaken political activity as Woman’s Officer for the Labour Party in Northern Ireland (LPNI) from April 2023 to January 2024.

Notes to Editors

1. The Council’s membership comprises a Chairperson and 13 members all of whom are appointed by the Department of Education.
2. The recruitment competition was widely advertised including in the Public Appointments section of NI Direct. The competition was sought to fill vacancies on the Council.
3. Media queries should be directed to the Department of Education press office via email at press.office@education-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 2 February 2024.

In an opinion piece, published in the News Letter, The Lord Caine discusses the significant role of Northern Ireland within the Union.

As I said in my maiden speech in the House of Lords in 2019, I am an unashamed and unapologetic unionist. I believe fervently that the best future for Northern Ireland will always be as an integral part of a strong and prosperous United Kingdom.

Those are sentiments that have motivated me throughout my 35 years of involvement in the affairs of Northern Ireland, both as an adviser to six Secretaries of State and now as one of His Majesty’s Ministers.  They are as rock firm today as they have ever been.  My conviction that the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom are stronger and better together remains unshakeable.

The United Kingdom is, of course, the most successful political and economic union in the world. My unionism, however, is not simply about some misty eyed nostalgia for the past.  Rather it is based on the belief that our best days lay ahead and what we can build together, united in common purpose and shared destiny.

Northern Ireland benefits hugely from membership of the United Kingdom.  For example, the strength and security of being part of the world’s sixth largest economy, sharing our great national institutions like the NHS, and, of course, the global reach of our country.  Yet the United Kingdom as a whole is richer for the contribution that Northern Ireland makes to our national life, and without which we would collectively be much the poorer.

I recognise, however, that there are many people in Northern Ireland who do not share these views and who have different political aspirations.  My unionism is one that deeply values and respects constitutional nationalism and the desire for a united Ireland pursued by peaceful and democratic means, while not sharing it.  Moreover, I want nothing less than the strongest possible relationship with Ireland, recognising that there might occasionally be issues on which we differ.

Northern Ireland’s position in the United Kingdom is, of course, based on consent.  The task for those of us who want to see the union prosper is to think of how we can broaden support for Northern Ireland’s constitutional position in a world that is very different to the one in which the Agreement was reached in 1998.

Central to that approach has to be to make Northern Ireland work and flourish and to do so for everyone, regardless of their community background or political aspirations.  That requires fully functioning, devolved, power sharing institutions with locally elected politicians taking decisions over local matters accountable to a local Assembly.

I warmly welcome, therefore, the decision by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to take his party back into the devolved institutions at Stormont, backed by Westminster legislation that re-affirms and safeguards both now and in the long term Northern Ireland’s place within our Union and the UK internal market, by far the most important for Northern Ireland trade and business.

This is alongside the financial package of over £3 billion to help face pressing challenges for public services, giving public sector workers the pay rise they deserve, and maximising Northern Ireland’s economic opportunities.  All of this underlines the enduring commitment of this Conservative and Unionist Government to Northern Ireland and governing for the whole community.

With Stormont back, we will have the opportunity, by working together, to raise up that stronger, more prosperous Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom – where politics works, the economy grows and society is more united. Building a Northern Ireland that works, where people from all parts of the community are content to live, work and raise a family, has to be the surest way of strengthening the Union in which I so passionately believe.

The press release issued by the Department for Northern Ireland on 2 February 2024.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of a new member of the Board of NIFHA.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Robert Ryans as a new member of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority Board. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, this appointment was made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

Mr Ryans will take up the post on 12 February 2024.

Robert Ryans has extensive senior management experience in a highly competitive domain of the retail sector. He brings an in-depth knowledge of people development, strategic and financial planning and commercial and operational performance.

Details of body

The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority is an Executive non-departmental  public body (Executive NDPB) sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It was established in 1973 under the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 and the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour  Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 and has responsibility for the fishery  harbours and harbour estates of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

Terms Of Appointment

• The member role requires approximately 16-18 days per annum.
• The appointment is for a four-year term.
• The Member position is remunerated at £5,099 per annum.

Regulation

The procedure for these appointments is designed to adhere to the Code of Practice  issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. This  means that the process will be based on merit after a fair, open and transparent  process that involves independent scrutiny. A copy of the code can be found at: https://www.publicappointmentsni.org/

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection  process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland  requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointee has declared they have had no political activity in the last 5 years.

Notes to editors

1. The NIFHA was added by Statutory Instrument to the Northern Ireland Executive  Formation Act 2022 on 11 July 2023.
2. Media queries should be directed to the DAERA press office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 524619.
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media  enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at  weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028  9037 8110.

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

The statement follows the the request made by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to recall the NI Assembly and work with the other parties.

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

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 30 January 2024.

The statement follows the news that the DUP has accepted the Government’s proposals on the operation of the Windsor Framework.

Statement from Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, following a meeting of the DUP executive last night:

“This is a welcome and significant step.

“I am grateful to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and colleagues for the constructive dialogue over the past months and to the other political parties in Northern Ireland for the patience they have shown during this time.

“I am pleased that the DUP have agreed to accept the package of measures that the UK Government has put forward and as a result they are ready to return to the Northern Ireland Assembly and nominate representatives to the Northern Ireland Executive.

“Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said this is subject to the binding commitments between the Democratic Unionist Party and the UK Government – I can confirm that we will stick to this agreement.

“I now believe that all the conditions are in place for the Assembly to return, the parties entitled to form an Executive are meeting today to discuss these matters and I hope to be able to finalise this deal with the political parties as soon as possible.”

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

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of a new Chair and independent members to the AWB.

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon. Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced  the appointment of Grace Nesbitt as the new Chairperson of the Agricultural  Wages Board and Gerard Laverty and Kevin McCabe as Independent Board Members. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments were made possible by the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

The new Chair and Members will take up their positions on 29 January 2024.

Grace Nesbitt MBE

Grace Nesbitt, OBE, brings a wealth of experience in industrial relations and negotiations gained through her professional career in human resources, formerly in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Grace is the Chair of the Board of Governance of the Jersey Audit Office and also an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committee in Antrim and Newtownabbey Council.

Gerard Laverty  

Gerard Laverty brings significant experience in the areas of human resources, negotiations and conflict resolution across his career as a Human Resources Manager at the North-Eastern Education and Library Board. Gerard is a former member of Independent Appeals Committees at the Labour Relations Agency and is a qualified workplace mediator.

Kevin McCabe  

Kevin McCabe has extensive experience in industrial relations and negotiations across his career in the public sector working for the Northern Ireland Public Sector Alliance. He is a former Fair Employment Commissioner and panel member of the Office of the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunals. Kevin currently serves as a Board Member of the Labour Relations Agency.

Details of body

The function of the AWB is principally to set rates of wages and related conditions for  agricultural workers. The work of independent members involves examining all of the  relevant factors in determining fair and reasonable settlement of the annual pay award.

Terms Of Appointment

• The Chair and Member roles require a commitment of up to 5 days per annum.
• The Chair and Member appointments to the AWB are for a three-year term.
• The Chairperson post is remunerated at £294 per meeting to include  preparation and attendance.
• The Member post is remunerated at £152 per meeting to include preparation and attendance.

Regulation

The procedure for these appointments is designed to adhere to the Code of Practice  issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. This means that the process will be based on merit after a fair, open and transparent process that involves independent scrutiny. A copy of the code can be found at: https://www.publicappointmentsni.org/

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection  process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland  requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointees have not declared any political activity in the last 5 years.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 19 January 2024.

The statement follows the expiry of the deadline for the Northern Ireland Assembly to elect a speaker.

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 17 January 2024.

The statement follows the failure to elect a speaker for the NI Assembly.

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

In an opinion piece, published in the Irish Independent and Belfast Telegraph, The Lord Caine challenges the Irish Government on legacy issues.

Just over nine years ago, on 23 December 2014, eleven weeks of political negotiations that included the UK and Irish Governments and the five main Northern Ireland parties concluded with what became known as the Stormont House Agreement. The Agreement was, we believed, a considerable achievement, covering a wide range of issues, including, of course, legacy. The finance provisions almost certainly averted the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive.

As Special Adviser to the then Secretary of State, I participated in all eleven weeks of those talks. I am, therefore, somewhat perplexed at the retrospective recasting of the legacy provisions of the Stormont House Agreement as having near universal support and constituting an “agreed” way forward to deal comprehensively with the past.

Even in December 2014, the legacy proposals did not have the backing of all parties – the Ulster Unionists rejected them outright, while the SDLP regarded them as a dilution of previous proposals. Recognising the difficulties of taking the proposals through Stormont, I recall the First and deputy First Ministers persuading the then Secretary of State to legislate at Westminster, even though the proposed new institutions were technically devolved.

Commitments to do so subsequently appeared in the Conservative manifesto at the 2015 General Election and in the Queen’s Speech that followed.  It cannot be stated strongly enough that there was no lack of commitment on the part of the UK Government to deliver on the Agreement. To that end, we also established a Stormont House Implementation Group, “the Shig”, to try and maintain a degree of consensus with the parties.

Ultimately, however, as we tried to convert the small number of paragraphs on legacy in Stormont House into detailed legislation, the fragile consensus we thought we had achieved began to evaporate. Martin McGuinness, on behalf of Sinn Féin, vetoed efforts by the then Secretary of State to include substantive commitments on legacy in the Fresh Start Agreement of November 2015.

Instead, the final text of that Agreement stated, “While progress has been made on most aspects of the legacy of the past, we have been unable to agree a way forward on some of the key issues.” This led the Victims and Survivors Forum to agree a rare statement expressing concern that victims of the Troubles who had “suffered the most” had now been “forgotten once again”.

A key concern of a number of victims’ groups in Northern Ireland focused on the role of the Irish Government under the Stormont House proposals. Unlike the UK Government, there were no commitments of any kind by the Irish Government to pursue criminal investigations into Troubles-related incidents within its own jurisdiction. This was despite the cross-border element of so many atrocities during the Troubles.

In fact, the only significant commitments made by the Irish Government, and which were the only parts of Stormont House that were the subject of an international agreement, were to establish jointly a body designed to encourage information recovery by enabling individuals to come forward secretly to reveal what they had done. Information recovery is, of course, at the centre of what will be delivered through our Legacy Act.

Despite these setbacks, the UK Government continued to seek to break the deadlock, particularly through the consultation we launched in 2018. While the consultation responses revealed some support for the broad architecture of Stormont House, on the details they raised more questions than answers. It also revealed concerns that people would never co-operate with an information recovery process while the threat of prosecution remained.

All of this led me, in October 2019, after I had left my role as a Special Adviser, to reflect publicly that the legacy proposals in Stormont House were close to requiring life support. In February 2020, the DUP said that the Agreement was not acceptable and needed revisiting. At different times after the Agreement, therefore, the two largest Northern Ireland parties expressed real concerns about the Stormont House mechanisms.

As a result, since early 2020, the UK Government has sought to put in place structures designed to provide more information to victims and survivors of the Troubles, against a background of the likelihood of successful prosecutions being vanishingly rare, and a realistic assessment of what can be delivered a quarter of a century after the Belfast Agreement and over fifty years since the Troubles began.

In many respects our proposals include, and build upon, Stormont House: an independent body capable of  conducting criminal investigations; the ability to refer cases to prosecutors where individuals do not co-operate or seek to mislead; full disclosure by the UK Government; effective information recovery; and measures to promote oral history and reconciliation.

I am the first to acknowledge that some parts of the Act are challenging, particularly the conditional immunity elements. As a result, however, of the many changes we made during its legislative passage, I am confident that it is capable of delivering more answers, to more people, more quickly than is possible under current structures – or those envisaged nine years ago. We do not expect this to be an entirely comfortable process for anyone.

I regret that, in our efforts over the last three years, we were unable to find more common ground with the Irish Government, not least as its own approach to troubles-related prosecutions has appeared to recognise the dilemmas we have had to confront.

Rather than focusing on legally challenging the UK’s Legacy Act in Strasbourg, perhaps it is time for the Irish Government to reflect on how it might now answer legitimate questions about its own role in dealing with legacy issues within its own jurisdiction.