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Parades body get Shepherd at helm | Parades body get Shepherd at helm |
(39 minutes later) | |
Rena Shepherd has been appointed as the new chairman of the Parades Commission, by NI Secretary Shaun Woodward. | Rena Shepherd has been appointed as the new chairman of the Parades Commission, by NI Secretary Shaun Woodward. |
Ms Shepherd, a former member of the Women's Coalition, became the commission's first Jewish member when she joined it in May 2008. | Ms Shepherd, a former member of the Women's Coalition, became the commission's first Jewish member when she joined it in May 2008. |
She began her career at consultants Price Waterhouse and is a Development Board Member of the Ulster Orchestra. | She began her career at consultants Price Waterhouse and is a Development Board Member of the Ulster Orchestra. |
Roger Poole announced he would step down as the head of the body in April. | Roger Poole announced he would step down as the head of the body in April. |
"Rena will provide strong leadership to the Commission and as a serving Commissioner is fully aware of all the challenges her new role brings," Mr Woodward said. | |
"Northern Ireland has enjoyed peaceful parading seasons in recent years and the Parades Commission has played an important role in helping to deliver that. | |
"Rena's appointment brings stability for the months ahead and the Parades Commission remains the final arbiter in parading matters." | |
The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted. | The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted. |
Ms Shepherd was the the shortest serving member who put themselves forward as the commission's new head. | Ms Shepherd was the the shortest serving member who put themselves forward as the commission's new head. |
The others in for the post are understood to include Joe Hendron - former SDLP MP for West Belfast, Anne Monaghan - who was also in the Women's Coalition, and businesswoman Vilma Patterson - all have been on the commission since 2006. | The others in for the post are understood to include Joe Hendron - former SDLP MP for West Belfast, Anne Monaghan - who was also in the Women's Coalition, and businesswoman Vilma Patterson - all have been on the commission since 2006. |
The commission's next meeting is on 17 June and will consider applications for 10 loyalist parades. | The commission's next meeting is on 17 June and will consider applications for 10 loyalist parades. |