The Office of the Northern Ireland First and Deputy First Minister has announced the appointment of three new commissioners in the Province.

The non-political appointees, who will fill newly created vacancies in the Planning and Water Appeals Commission, are Aidan McCooney, who will take the role of Principle Commissioner, as will Sean O'Hare. Brian Martin has been appointed as a Senior Commissioner. All three men are members of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

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The commissioners' salaries will range from £48,810-£61,183, and all three will receive a pension.

The Planning Appeals Commission is an independent appeals body established under the Planning (NI) Order 1991 to decide a wide range of appeals against decisions of the Department of Environment's Planning Service and to report on various matters under planning and other legislation. 



The Water Appeals Commission is a separate tribunal, established by the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.



Both currently comprise 21 full-time Commissioners, including the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner, plus a number of Call-Off Panel Commissioners who are only available to the Planning Appeals Commission.

(PR/JM)