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31 January 2005

RE-APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF LABOUR RELATIONS AGENCY

The Minister for Employment and Learning, Barry Gardiner MP, today announced the re-appointment of Mr Patrick McCartan as part-time Chairman of the Labour Relations Agency.

The Minister highlighted the key role played by the Agency in promoting good employment practices throughout Northern Ireland and in helping employers and employees to resolve workplace disputes as early as possible, without recourse to tribunal proceedings.

The Minister wished Mr McCartan every success in his continued role as Chairman.

The appointment is for a period of three years, commencing 1 February 2005. Mr McCartan will receive an annual emolument of £21,588.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The LRA was established in 1976 by the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 as the independent body responsible for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland.

  2. The Agency is an executive Non Departmental Public Body and is, broadly speaking, the Northern Ireland equivalent of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in Great Britain.

  3. The re-appointment was made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the appointments process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for political activity of the appointee (if any declared) to be published.

  4. Patrick McCartan was a senior lecturer at the University of Ulster for a number of years, lecturing in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Management Development and Business Improvement. He has held a number of public appointments and positions in the voluntary sector and in the Trade Union movement. He is currently Chairman of the North & West Belfast H&SS Trust.

  5. Other members of the Board are: Dr Boyd Black; Ms Julie Anne Clarke; Mr Harry Goodman; Mrs Norma Heaton; Mr Gordon Milligan; Mr Jim McCusker; Mr Eugene McGlone; Mrs Patricia O’Farrell and Mr Roden Ward.

  6. 6. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on Tel: 028 9025 7790.

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