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Appointments to the Labour Relations Agency Board

Minister for Employment and Learning, Maria Eagle, MP, today confirmed the appointments of two new members to the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) Board.

The appointment of Peter Williamson will take effect from 1 October 2006 and run until 30 September 2009 and the appointment of Brenda Maitland will take effect from 1 January 2007 and run until 31 December 2009.

Peter Williamson has been Regional Secretary of AEEU/AMICUS since 1997. He is also currently a member of the Industrial Court Northern Ireland and Secretary to the Northern Ireland District Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions (CSEU) District Committee and NI Executive Committee and Secretary to the Irish Executive Committee of AMICUS the Union. Mr Williamson also holds position as Executive Committee Member of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Brenda Maitland has held various positions within British Telecom NI since 1979 and is currently a Senior Human Resource Business Partner. Mrs Maitland is also currently an Non-Executive Director of Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL), Council Member of War on Want Northern Ireland Charity and member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Between the years 1997 to 2001 Mrs Maitland was a member of Down District Peace and Reconciliation Partnership which allocated EU Peace funding.

The Minister has also reappointed the following Board Members for the period 1 October 2006 until 30 September 2009:  Julie Anne Clarke; Jim McCusker; and Roden Ward.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.The Labour Relations Agency is a Department for Employment and Learning Non-Departmental Public Body.  All appointments to the Board are made by the Department for Employment and Learning under the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

2. The appointments have been made on merit and in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland Code of Practice.

3. The annual remuneration for board members is £4,760.

4. Political activity played no part in the selection process. No political activity was declared by the appointees.

5. Other members of the Board are: Mr Pat McCartan (Chair), Dr Boyd Black, Mrs Norma Heaton, Mr Gordon Milligan and Mrs Patricia O’Farrell.

6. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.