New members to advisory council will help our built heritage says Wilson
Friday, 6 February 2009Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, today announced new appointments to an advisory body on built heritage.
The Historic Monuments Council (HMC) gives the Department advice on built heritage issues and will be chaired by University College Dublin academic, Professor Gabriel Cooney
The Minister said: “Effective protection of our built heritage is an important aspect of the Government’s environmental policy.
“With a growing appreciation of the built environment’s importance in Northern Ireland, I believe the advice of the Historic Monuments Council and its individual members will be valuable.
“I am announcing 15 new appointments, including that of Professor Gabriel Cooney as chairman.
“I would like to thank all outgoing members for the important contribution they have made during their period of office. We owe a great deal to those who undertake work of this nature and the responsibilities associated with it.”
The HMC is a statutory advisory council and all appointments were made on merit through an open public competition involving an application and interview process in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland.
Professor Cooney is a Professor of Celtic Archaeology and current Head of the School of Archaeology at University College Dublin. He is a member of many respected archaeological and historical committees and professional bodies and occupies a Fellowship of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
Notes To Editors:
1. The following have been appointed as Members:
· Mr Henry Bell - Senior lecturer with over 30 years’ teaching experience.
· Mr Brian Black - Specialist TV producer of natural history and countryside issues.
· Mr Malachy Conway - An archaeologist with over 19 years’ experience, has excavated and reported on over 90 excavations throughout Ireland.
· Mr Tim Cunningham - Law Lecturer at QUB, and also lectured on history and anthropology.
· Mrs Rosemary Evans - Journalist with several published articles particularly with regard to tourism and visitor guides to Northern Ireland.
· Ms Marga Foley - B.A. in Archaeology from University Dublin. B.Sc from London University specialising in conservation and materials science.
· Mr Ian Julian McCartan Hill - Former Director of Public Relations for Northern Ireland Tourist Board
· Dr Suzanne Lyle - Art Historian with an M.A. Hons. and a PH.D in illuminated manuscripts and medieval artefacts.
· Dr Philip Macdonald - Principal Director in the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork, QUB.
· Mr Conor Mallon - Chartered Surveyor with extensive experience with historic landscapes marine and industrial archaeology.
· Mr John McGillan - Ex Principal Officer with NIHE, experienced in carrying out efficiency reviews and regional management.
· Mrs Anne-Marie McStocker - Grammar school teacher teaching English, Drama and History. Promotes local history to her students.
· Dr Mary Kay Muhr - Lecturer in Celtic languages.
· Mr Stephen Russell - Justice of the Peace and a property developer. Extensive knowledge and experience of planning and appeals processes.
2. With the exception of Ms Marga Foley who stood as candidate for the SDLP and canvassed on behalf of the SDLP, none of these appointees has undertaken any political activities in the last five years.
3. None of these appointees hold any other public appointments.
4. Members of the Council receive no salary but are entitled to travelling and incidental expenses that are reimbursed at standard Civil Service rates. Appointments are for a three-year term.
5.For media enquires please contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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