17 September 2007 - Appointments to the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

The appointments will take effect from 1 October 2007.

The Minister said: “I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Councillors William Burns, Josephine O’Hare, and Michael Ruane, nominated by Newry and Mourne District Council, to the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.

“I consider the port at Warrenpoint to be an important driver for the local economy. I therefore place great value on the perspective that local councillors bring to the work of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.”

Mr Murphy also paid tribute to two District Council representatives whose term of service will end on 30 September 2007. He said: “I also wish to thank Councillors Michael Carr and Antony Williamson for their period of public service on the Authority. The evident success of the port at Warrenpoint in recent years is something from which they should derive considerable satisfaction.”

Mr Murphy concluded: “These appointments conclude my plans for the reconstitution of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority with effect from 1 October 2007. The port at Warrenpoint is undergoing a period of significant capital investment to secure its role as a key gateway to the North. I wish the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority well as it seeks to capitalise on this investment.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for improving, maintaining and managing the harbour. The constitution of the Authority was established under the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (No 42). The Authority currently has a membership of a Chairman and 11 members, one of whom is the serving Chief Executive. This reconstitution reduces the size of the Board by one member whilst also placing on the Board the Authority’s Financial Controller as an ex-officio appointment. Board members currently receive remuneration of £6,130 per annum and the Chairman’s post attracts £16,305 per annum.
2. This announcement follows up the press release of 19 July in which the Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, outlined his plans for the reconstitution of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority on 1 October 2007. At that stage the Newry and Mourne nominations to the Authority had not been confirmed.
3. The term of office for the Chairman and new members of the Board commences on 1 October 2007 with the members being appointed for a three year term and the Chairman for four years. Three other members, appointed in October 2005, continue as members until October 2008.
4. Under the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (NI) 2002, Newry and Mourne District Council is entitled to nominate up to three members of the Authority.
5. The three representatives from Newry and Mourne District Council will be appointed on 1 October 2007 for a period of up to four years or as long as they remain Newry and Mourne nominees.
6. Chairman James Stewart has 25 years' experience in industry both as HR Manager and Managing Director. He is Chairman of Northern Area HSS Trust. Mr Stewart is also Director of Training Solutions (NI) Limited. He has been chairman of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority since October 2004.
7. Peter Conway, Chief Executive has 20 years' experience in the energy business. He managed shipping terminals at the ports of New Ross and Cork and subsequently served on the management board of Esso Ireland. Appointed to the board of Warrenpoint Authority in 2004 and following public competition he became Chief Executive of the Authority in 2005.
8. Kieran Grant has been Financial Controller at Warrenpoint Harbour Authority since September 2003.
9. Kieran Campbell is a local businessman with 20 years' experience in management. A Chartered Accountant, he held the position of Finance Director of The Haldane Fisher Group, following five years as Financial Controller of Halifax Property Services for Northern Ireland.
10. Sean Hogan is Chairman of the AgriFood and Bio Science Institute, and Partner in Cemac Consulting Ltd Dublin.
11. Bonnie Horsman is Managing Director of Anley Maritime Agencies Ltd (a ship’s agency operation) and Anley Shipping Ltd (a stevedoring operation) since 1992. She was closely involved in the launch of Seatruck Ferries Ltd in 1996, where she remained a Director until 1999.
12. Captain Bill Luney is a qualified Master Mariner and is an established maritime specialist with 40 years of experience in this field, both afloat and ashore. Before establishing his own Maritime Consultancy Company he spent 25 years in the Port Operations at the Port of Belfast with the last 10 years as a Harbour Master. He is also Director of Simentra Ltd.
13. Gerard McGivern is founding manager of Banbridge Enterprise Centre and established the Development Directorate at Banbridge Council.
14. Councillor William Burns (DUP), a farmer, joined Newry and Mourne District Council in 1991. Among other positions on the council he is Chairman of the Environmental Committee and the Public Works Committee.
15. Josephine O’Hare (SDLP), a youth worker, joined Newry and Mourne District Council in 1993. In the past she has been Chairman of the Council.
16. Michael Ruane (SF) works for a local firm specialising in industrial floor coatings. He has been a member of Newry and Mourne District Council for seven years.
17. With the exception of the council nominees none of these individuals have carried out any political activity in the last five years.
18. The process of reconstituting the board was carried out in accordance with the best practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).
19. For media queries contact the DRD Press Office, Anne Armstrong 028 9054 0004. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.