3 February 2000

 

APPOINTMENTS TO GENERAL CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR NI

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, today confirmed the reappointment of Mrs Joan Whiteside OBE as Chairman, of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. Her appointment extends to 31 December 2002. Mrs Whiteside has already completed one term of office as Chairman.

Four members have also been reappointed for a second term. They are Mrs Ann Collins and Mr Mark Gavin (to 30 June 2002) and Mr Daniel Corr and Mrs Patricia Mallon (to 31 December 2002).

The Minister has also appointed four new members to serve on the Consumer Council (to 31 December 2002). They are: Mr Brendan Bonner, Mrs Penny McNeill, Mrs Grace Bennett and Mr John F Dobson.

Mr Bonner is a Rural Development Manager in Londonderry and Director of the Olly McGilloway Autumn school. He formerly worked for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Mrs McNeill lives in Belfast and has worked in the voluntary sector with organisations such as PHAB NI and Disability Action (formerly NI Council for the Disabled).

Mrs Bennett is a Project Officer in the Community, liasing between community, family, schools, education board and social services. She is also a member of Casualty Watch Childrens’ Services Plans.

Mr Dobson is a Solicitor and he lives in Banbridge. He is Principal in Herron and Dobson, Solicitors.

The combined talents of Mr Bonner, Mrs McNeill, Mrs Bennett and Mr Dobson will add to the considerable expertise on consumer affairs already existing on the Council.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland is a statutory organisation established in 1985 to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers. It is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The Council will now comprise of:

Mrs Joan Whiteside OBE (Chairman), Mrs Felicity Huston (Deputy Chairman), Mr William Osborne, Mr Ciaran Brolly, Mrs Ann Collins,

Mr Daniel Corr, Mr Mark Gavin, Mrs Dawn Livingstone, Mrs Grace Bennett, Mrs Patricia Mallon, Mr Brendan Bonner, Mr Michael Walker,

Mrs Penny McNeill and Mr John F Dobson.

The Chairman, Mrs Whiteside will receive an annual salary of £12,700. Council members will receive remuneration in accordance with attendance ie £82.24 per day.

Mrs Grace Bennett is a member of Casualty Watch Childrens’ Services Plans, Eastern Health and Social Services Council for which she receives no remuneration.

Mrs Penny McNeill sits on two school boards of governors and receives no remuneration.

The other two new members do not hold any appointments.

Mr John F Dobson served as a Council member on the Ulster Unionist Council in 1998.

None of the other new appointees have carried out any significant political activity in the last five years.