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 5623894
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his question. There is no place in modern society for discrimination of any kind. It is important that all our public boards are reflective of society and that the appointment process is open, inclusive and accessible to all sections of society.
That was clearly the case with the appointment process, where the guidance and code of practice were followed. Ensuring that appointment processes are open and transparent strengthens governance, enhances our decision-making and supports the delivery of high-quality public services. That is what people expect of us.
Regardless of people's political background or experiences, processes have to be followed, and that is clearly what happened in that case. As I have said to other Members, the five people who were appointed add significant value to the board. They have diverse experience across different sections of our economy, and that is exactly what we need on all public boards. I take appointments to our public boards incredibly seriously. Board members do an important job. My Department's arm's-length bodies (ALBs) spend a significant part of my budget, so boards must hold those ALBs to account. It is therefore important that the people appointed to them have the necessary skills and experience, and appointing on the basis of merit ensures that that is the case.
217 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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