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19/07/2005
Former RTE D-G is new chief of Equality Commission
The Secretary of State Peter Hain has confirmed the appointment of Bob Collins as the new Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission.
A former Director-General of RTE, Mr Collins will succeed Dame Joan Harbinson who retires at the end of July.
The Secretary of State also announced the appointment, as new Commissioners, of Bryan Johnston, James Knox, Professor Eithne McLaughlin and Elaine Waterson.
Mr Hain said: “The Government’s vision is to see an equal, inclusive society where everyone is treated with respect and where there is opportunity for all. A key institution of the Belfast Agreement, the Equality Commission is crucial to this vision, and for the last six years has played the lead role in protecting and promoting equality.
“Bob Collins is the right person to lead the Commission in continuing this essential work. A champion for equality throughout his career, Bob Collins brings to the Commission not only valuable experience of running a high-profile organisation but also hands-on experience of making equality a reality.
“Together, these five new Commissioners have the knowledge, practical skills and academic understanding to make a real contribution to the protection and promotion of equality in Northern Ireland. I am confident that they will continue to enhance the Commission’s pivotal role in advancing rights and protection for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Thanking Dame Joan Harbison and the three outgoing Commissioners, the Secretary of State said: “Under the guidance of Dame Joan Harbison, the Equality Commission has made a real contribution to the promotion of the equality agenda in Northern Ireland. I would like to thank her and the three outgoing Commissioners, Alan Henry, Ann Hope and Ruth Lavery.
“Their work since the inauguration of the Commission has been invaluable to its establishment and growth and I am extremely grateful to them for their commitment and expertise.”
A former Director-General of RTE, a post which he held from 1997 until he stepped down in 2003, Mr Collins said that he was looking forward to his new post as Chief Commissioner.
He said that he believed that equality of opportunity was "crucially significant in building an inclusive society".
(SP)
A former Director-General of RTE, Mr Collins will succeed Dame Joan Harbinson who retires at the end of July.
The Secretary of State also announced the appointment, as new Commissioners, of Bryan Johnston, James Knox, Professor Eithne McLaughlin and Elaine Waterson.
Mr Hain said: “The Government’s vision is to see an equal, inclusive society where everyone is treated with respect and where there is opportunity for all. A key institution of the Belfast Agreement, the Equality Commission is crucial to this vision, and for the last six years has played the lead role in protecting and promoting equality.
“Bob Collins is the right person to lead the Commission in continuing this essential work. A champion for equality throughout his career, Bob Collins brings to the Commission not only valuable experience of running a high-profile organisation but also hands-on experience of making equality a reality.
“Together, these five new Commissioners have the knowledge, practical skills and academic understanding to make a real contribution to the protection and promotion of equality in Northern Ireland. I am confident that they will continue to enhance the Commission’s pivotal role in advancing rights and protection for everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Thanking Dame Joan Harbison and the three outgoing Commissioners, the Secretary of State said: “Under the guidance of Dame Joan Harbison, the Equality Commission has made a real contribution to the promotion of the equality agenda in Northern Ireland. I would like to thank her and the three outgoing Commissioners, Alan Henry, Ann Hope and Ruth Lavery.
“Their work since the inauguration of the Commission has been invaluable to its establishment and growth and I am extremely grateful to them for their commitment and expertise.”
A former Director-General of RTE, a post which he held from 1997 until he stepped down in 2003, Mr Collins said that he was looking forward to his new post as Chief Commissioner.
He said that he believed that equality of opportunity was "crucially significant in building an inclusive society".
(SP)
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