Foster announces Consumer Council re-appointment

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the re-appointment of Deputy Chairperson to the Board of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

Mrs Siubhan Grant will serve for a period of two years, commencing 1 January 2010.

Welcoming the re-appointment, the Minister said: “Mrs Grant continues her role as Deputy Chairperson of the Consumer Council at a challenging economic time for consumers in Northern Ireland.

“Her experience as Deputy Chairperson for the last three years will be of great value to the Council as it continues to pursue its aim of championing the rights of all consumers in Northern Ireland.”

The re-appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Northern Ireland.

Membership of the Consumer Council is not salaried but a fee of £135.25 per day is payable.

Notes to editors:

1. Siubhan Grant, Deputy Chairperson: Siubhan Grant lives in Holywood and is a qualified barrister. She has been a member of the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland, a Director of Translink and Chair of the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust. She has been Deputy Chairperson since January 2007. Mrs Grant does not hold any other public appointments. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

2. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, established in 1985, under the terms of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984, is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The aims of the Consumer Council are to:

• · promote and safeguard the interests of all consumers in Northern Ireland;
• · campaign on behalf of consumers for the best possible standards of service and protection;
• · undertake research and data collection;
• · give advice and information and issue publications; and
• · deal with individual complaints about passenger transport, coal, natural gas and electricity.

3. Under the provisions of the Order, the Board of the Consumer Council shall consist of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and no more than 16 members. Current membership stands at 15 (Chairman, Deputy Chairman and 13 Members).

4. 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.

5. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.