Re-appointment of members to the Management Committee of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Monday, 19 January 2009Gregory Campbell, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure has announced the re-appointment of two current members to the Management Committee of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
Following an open competition for the appointment of new members the following have been re-appointed for a further term, with effect from 1 July 2008 for a term of one year and nine months to 31 March 2010:
Dr Áine Downey
Mrs Sue Hogg
In thanking the two members for agreeing to serve for a further term on the Management Committee the Minister said: "I welcome the re-appointment of the two members to the Management Committee of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium under the terms of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Office in Northern Ireland.
"They are highly respected and valued members of the Management Committee and I have no doubt that they will continue to make a valuable contribution to the work of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium."
Notes to Editors:
1. The Management Committee comprises:
· The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh or his nominee (Chairman):
· Three nominees from the Board of Governors of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
· Six nominees from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure;
· One Queens University Belfast nominee;
7 One Science and Technology Facilities Council nominee;
· One Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies nominee; and
· up to two additional members co-opted by the Board of Governors.
2. Nominees and those co-opted by the Governors normally serve for an initial period of three to five years with the possibility of extension.
3. The Management Committee was set up in 1984 to strengthen and support professional astronomical research in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom; to assist the Universities in Northern Ireland in the education of professional astronomers; and to act as a focal point for astronomy within Northern Ireland by contributing to public information and education in conjunction with the Planetarium.
4. The appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published.
Members attract no remuneration and receive expenses only.
5. Biographical details of the re-appointed members
Dr Áine Downey
Dr Downey lives in Londonderry. She has been re-appointed as a Member of the AOP Management Committee from 1 July 2008 for a term of I year and 9 months to 31 March 2010.
She has served as a Member of the AOP Management Committee since 1 April 2000. She is a retired University Lecturer. She was a former member of the Western Education and Library Board, CRUSE Bereavement Care, Praxis, the Lifestart Programme and Comhairle na Gaelscoiliochta. Dr Downey is currently a non Executive Director on the Western Health and Social Services Board, a lay member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and on the Board of Governors of St Mary’s College, Creggan, Holy Child Primary School, Creggan and Belmont House School, Londonderry. Dr Downey has declared that she has not participated in any political activity in the last five years.
Mrs Sue Hogg MBE
Mrs Sue Hogg MBE lives in Enniskillen. She has been re-appointed as a Member of the AOP Management Committee from 1 July 2008 for a term of 1 year and 9 months to 31 March 2010.
Mrs Hogg has served as a Member of the AOP Management Committee since 1 April 2000. She is currently a member of the Western Health and Social Services Council and the Western Education and Library Board.
She was formerly Strategic Manager for Young Enterprise Northern Ireland. She was Chief Commissioner for the Guide Association from 1991-1996 and a community member of the Acute Hospitals Review Group in 2000-2001. She was the Chair of the Western Education and Library Board and a former member and Vice-Chair of the Youth Council. She is currently the Chair of Board of Governors of Erne Special School, Enniskillen and Florencecourt Primary School, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh. Mrs Hogg has declared that she has not participated in any political activity in the last five years.
6. All media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk . Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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