Debate contribution: Invest NI: Board Appointments
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 16 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Invest NI: Board Appointments
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5623878
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 2, 3 and 8. Appointments to the board of Invest NI are made in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI). The code provides a clear and robust framework for managing conflicts of interest at all stages of the appointments process. Applicants are required to declare any relevant interests, which are fully assessed by the selection panel as part of its evaluation of suitability. In addition, appointees are required to declare and manage interests on an ongoing basis once appointed. The selection panel is also required to declare any potential conflicts. They must be managed by the panel chair to ensure the integrity of the process. My role is also clearly defined in the code. I make appointments from only those candidates deemed suitable by the selection panel, based on the evidence provided and assessed against the selection criteria agreed at the outset of the process. Those criteria were determined by me and informed by consultation with the chair of the Invest NI board and the chair of the selection panel. The process, therefore, ensures that conflicts are identified, considered and managed appropriately before any appointment decision is made. The Nolan principles are reflected throughout the process. Appointments are made through fair and open competition, with independent assessment, appropriate declarations of interest and proper record-keeping to support accountability, openness and public confidence.
238 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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