The appointment of a new Chair, The Very Reverend Dr Graham Forbes, and four of the Commissioners, Derek Wilson, Marian Cree, Eimear McAllister and Joe McVey will take effect on 1 January 2021. A further Commissioner, Joelle Black, will take up the appointment with effect from 1 April 2021. These appointments will be for three years.
Background
The Parades Commission for Northern Ireland was established in 1997 and took on its full powers in 1998 through the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. The Commission operates as a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.
Under the terms of the Act, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for making appointments to the Parades Commission. The appointments are made in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 of the Act.
