Re-appointment to the fisheries conservancy board

Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Edwin Poots MLA, has announced the re-appointment of Dr Robert Hanna to the Fisheries Conservancy Board (FCB).

Dr Hanna’s re-appointment to the Board as Chair will run from 1 January 2008 for a one year term or until the Board is abolished under the Review of Public Administration.

Thanking Dr Hanna for agreeing to serve a further term on the Board, the Minister said: “I am grateful to Dr Hanna for agreeing to continue to serve as Chair of the Fisheries Conservancy Board. 2008 will be a critical year for the FCB as the wind-down of the Board proceeds under the Review of Public Administration. It is essential that the FCB has suitable representation and effective leadership during this period and Dr Hanna’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable in assisting this process.”

The Fisheries Conservancy Board is the statutory body that has responsibility for the conservation and protection of the salmon and inland fisheries of Northern Ireland, except those of the Foyle catchment and the Carlingford area which fall within the jurisdiction of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. It will be abolished as part of the Review of Public Administration and its functions transferred to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Notes to Editors:

The Fisheries Conservancy Board is an Executive non-departmental public established under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (“the 1966 Act”). Schedule 2 to the 1966 Act provides for the constitution of the Board.

The re-appointment is 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.

The post is remunerated and Dr Robert Hanna has not participated in any political activity in the past five years.

Dr Hanna has wide experience of public and voluntary appointments and currently serves as Chair of the North - East Institute for Further and Higher Education, Director and Chair of the Odyssey Trust Company Ltd. He is an independent member of the local Government Staff Commission and is a member of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. None of these positions attracts remuneration.

Dr Hanna formerly served as Chair of the Northern Health and Social Services Board from 1989 - 2000: Pro- Chancellor and Vice -Chair of the Council of the University of Ulster 1994-1997 and Chair 1997-2002; member of the Council of Water Conservation and the Countryside from 1989 -2000 and as Deputy Chair to 1996 and Chair 1996 -2000; member of the Tree Committee for Northern Ireland from 1981 -2000; and member of the Belfast Harbour Forum from 1991-1996.

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