NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced appointments to the board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Four board members, nominated by the Northern Ireland Housing Council in 2007, have been re-appointed for a further year until 4 November 2009.

They are Councillor Eamonn O'Neill, Councillor Jennifer Palmer, Councillor Jim Speers MBE and Councillor Brendan Curran. The members will receive £6,740 per annum for their services.

Mr O'Neill is a member of the Social, Democratic and Labour Party and is currently a member of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for which he receives £10,000. He is also a member of the Eastern Health & Social Services Trust for which he receives no payment.

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Mrs Palmer is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party and is currently a member of the Colin Glen Trust and Partnership for which she receives no payment.

Mr Speers is a member of the Ulster Unionist Party and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Curran (pictured) is a member of Sinn Fein and holds no other public appointments.

The board is responsible for the efficient, effective and economic delivery of the Housing Executive's services. It determines policies, within its overall aims and objectives, and makes decisions on operational and organisational strategies.

The chairman reports to the Minister for Social Development on the organisation's achievement of its objectives and targets.

The appointments were made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.

(PR/JM)