News Release Page Title

1 April 2005

APPOINTMENT OF CERTIFICATION OFFICER

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced the appointment of Mr Roy Gamble as Certification Officer for Northern Ireland.

The role of Certification Officer deals with the internal affairs of trade unions and employers’ associations.

Until his retirement in December 2004, Mr Gamble held the position of Director of the Employment Rights Division of the Department for Employment and Learning.

Mr Gamble has not carried out any political activity in the last five years.

The appointment is for a period of three years, commencing 11 April 2005 and currently attracts an annual emolument of £18,646. Mr Gamble replaces

Mr Scott McElrea, whose term of appointment officially ended on 31 January 2005.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Certification Officer for Northern Ireland is appointed under Article 69 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. The Certification Officer’s functions generally concern the internal affairs of trade unions and employers’ associations. They relate mainly to listing, accounting records, approving political fund rules of Northern Ireland based unions, secret ballots and the certification of the independence of unions.

  2. The 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.

  3. Mr Gamble held a number of roles within the Northern Ireland Civil Service until his retirement in December 2004. These included Director of Employment Rights Division in the Department for Employment and Learning, Head of the Economic Strategy Unit in the Department of Economic Development (DED), and Assistant Secretary of Economic Planning Division and Energy Division, both in DED.

  4. For further information, contact the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

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