Gregory Campbell (DUP)

3. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister how many people have been appointed and reappointed to the board of Ilex urban regeneration company in Londonderry over the last three years, broken down by community background.      (AQO 233/10)

Peter Robinson (DUP)

With your permission, Mr speaker is in charge of proceedings of the House of Commons in..." class="glossary">Deputy Speaker, I will ask the junior Minister Mr Newton to respond.

Robin Newton (DUP)

I was not expecting that, Mr speaker is in charge of proceedings of the House of Commons in..." class="glossary">Deputy Speaker; I will just find my place.

I wish to report that eight people have been appointed to the board of Ilex since 2006, two of whom have recently been reappointed in accordance with public appointment guidelines. The community background breakdown is: two Protestant, four Roman Catholic and two unknown. A public appointments competition is under way to recruit additional board members.

Gregory Campbell (DUP)

I thank the junior Minister for his response. Ilex has the potential to do significant work in an area that is economically disadvantaged, such as the area that is served by the Ebrington site. However, just as there is a need to be conscious of the political and religious breakdown of those who apply and are appointed to the Ilex board, will the junior Minister give an assurance that the same consciousness will pertain to the work that Ilex will do, particularly when trying to ensure that the minority unionist community in Londonderry, which has a significant attachment to the rich military history of that site, is represented in the future work programme?

Robin Newton (DUP)

That is absolutely right, and the Ilex board will want to acknowledge Mr Campbell’s points. It is obvious that fairness and transparency in all things are imperative as this very important project is rolled out for that part of Northern Ireland.

Robin Newton (DUP)

Above all other considerations, the Member will understand that community confidence is an important feature and that people should be offered public appointments in a manner that is transparent and ensures that the merit of any such individuals can be stood over.

As I said to Mr Campbell, fairness and transparency are important. This project is important to the whole of the north-west and must therefore have community confidence.

Francie Molloy (Sinn Féin)

I remind Members to rise in their place to indicate that they wish to ask a question; otherwise I will assume that their question has been answered. Each time a Member wishes to ask a question, they must rise in their place.