Fishery harbour authority appointments

Mr Terry Jarvis and Mr Gordon Irwin OBE will have their terms of office on the local Fishery Harbour Authority (NIFHA) extended.

Welcoming the four year extensions, Fisheries Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA said: “Both Terry Jarvis and Gordon Irwin have made valuable contributions to the work of the Authority, over the last four years including making significant progress on EU-funded improvements in the three local fishing ports of Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie.

“I wish to thank them for staying on for another term to assist the Authority in its important work of managing and improving the fishery harbour infrastructure.”

The Minister also thanked outgoing board member Mrs. Deirdre Harding saying: “I also wish to praise Deirdre for her decade of dedicated service to the Authority, during challenging years for the fishing industry, I wish Deirdre well in her future endeavours.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority (NIFHA) is a statutory body established in 1973 under the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 and the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 1973. The Authority has responsibility for the improvement, management and maintenance of the three fishery harbours at Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.
2. Mr. Jarvis is a retired BT Senior Executive with a background in engineering while Mr Irwin is a former Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
3. Mrs. Harding is retiring from NIFHA following 10 years service as a board member. Guidelines from the Commissioner of Public Appointments state that members cannot serve on the board of a Non-Departmental Public Body for longer than 10 years.
4. Mr Jarvis’ and Mr Irwin’s terms of appointment ended on 22nd October 2007. Their appointment is being extended for a further 4 years or for a shorter period depending on the outcome of the revaluation of the Review of Public Administration.
5. All media enquiries to DARD press office, tel: 028 9052 4619.