Appointments to the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has announced the appointment of the independent members to the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB).

Two of the independent members have been appointed and one has been re-appointed to the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland for a two year term.

Mr William F Gillespie, OBE, has been appointed Chairperson and Mrs Ellen McClenaghan has been appointed as an ordinary member of the AWB. Mr Ian McInnes has been re-appointed as an ordinary member. The appointments and re-appointment will expire on 31 March 2009.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Mr William F Gillespie, OBE, was previously Chairperson of a family building contractors company in County Armagh. He is currently Chairperson of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland (salary £22,000 pa).

Mrs Ellen McClenaghan, the Head of Personnel for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, lives in Holywood. She previously worked as a family advisor for Mencap.

Mr Ian McInnes, a part-time lecturer in employment law, lives in Bangor. He was a former Director of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Labour Relations Agency.

None of the above have been involved in any political activities during the past five years. Other Ministerial appointments are as declared above.

The other members of the AWB are appointed by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (representing employers) and the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union (representing employees). A further announcement will be made regarding these members.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) was established under the terms of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, to regulate the minimum rates of wages, and other related matters, for workers in agriculture.

2. The Board consists of 15 members:

• three members appointed by the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, one of whom is Chairperson of the Board;
• six members nominated by the Ulster Farmers' Union as representative of agricultural employers; and
• six members nominated by the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union as representative of agricultural workers' interests.

3. The appointments are made under Article 3 and Schedule 1 of the above order.

4. The posts of Chairperson and Ordinary Member attract attendance fees of £249 and £130 per day respectively, plus travelling expenses. The Board meets three times per year.

5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel 028 9052 4619.