Chair appointment to the board of Libraries Northern Ireland

The Department for Communities has extended the first term of appointment of the Chair of the Board of Libraries NI.

Professor Bernard Cullen’s first term of appointment has been extended from 1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019. He has been the Chair since 1 November 2014.

Notes to editors: 

1. The primary duty of the Northern Ireland Library Authority (known as Libraries NI), as set down in the Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, is to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service for persons living, working or studying in Northern Ireland

2. The Chair position attracts remuneration of £12,000 per annum, plus travel and subsistence allowances in line with Northern Ireland Civil Service rates. This post will require a commitment of at least 30 days per year 

3. The extension has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice

4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published 

5. Biographical details of Chair:

Professor Cullen is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Queens University, Belfast, a Training Fellow of the Institute of Psychoanalysis (London), and Director of Training of the Northern Ireland Psychoanalytic Society. He is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Parkanaur Residential College. A former Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Queen’s, he has also been Chair of the Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards, a member of the Public Service Commission, Vice-President of the Belfast & District Trades Union Council, President of the Irish Philosophical Society, President of the  Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations, Philosophy Consultant to the European Science Foundation Project on Social Justice, and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the British Confederation of Psychotherapists. Professor Cullen brings skills and experience in relation to equality and social inclusion, as well as considerable Chair experience to Libraries NI. He has had no political activity in the past five years

6. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office on 028 9082 3532 or email: Press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110

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