Peace worker now on Parades Commission

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward MP yesterday announced the appointment of Mr Michael Doherty to the parading body.

Mr Doherty's appointment brings the Commission back to its full complement and takes effect on 1 April 2010. As with the other Commissioners, the appointment will run until 31 December 2010.

Mr Woodward said: "The Parades Commission plays an important role in our society and Mr Doherty's experience and perspective will be a welcome addition to the organisation.

"I am confident that Mr Doherty will make a valuable contribution to the work of the team.

"The Parades Commission continues its important work and remains the final arbiter in parades matters until such time as new parading legislation comes into force. I encourage all communities in Northern Ireland to engage with the Commission."

A statement from the NIO says: "Mr Doherty has spent his career as a committed community worker, through his time as Director of Stairway Transformation and Director of the Peace and Reconciliation Group, he gained a vast knowledge of the issues involved in parading in Northern Ireland.

"He was an authorised Officer in the Parades Commission from 1998 to 1999 and he will bring that experience to his new role as Commissioner.

"He is a trained mediator and holds a BSc in Social Administration from the University of Ulster and a certificate in mediation from the School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, Regents College London."

Mr Doherty will take up appointment on 1 April 2010. The post entails an average of two days a week with the possibility of evening and weekend meetings. The term will last until 31 December 2010 and a remuneration of 20,182 per annum will be paid.

Anne Monaghan declined reappointment at the end of December 2009 creating a vacancy from 1st January 2010.