Caretaker role appointed for the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI)

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly today announced the appointment of the current Commissioner, Mr Eddie Lynch into a caretaker role in the office of Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI), for a period of up to six months. The role was effective from 13 June 2024.

They said:

“We are grateful to Eddie Lynch for his ongoing work to champion the welfare and rights of our older people as we seek to appoint his successor to the role of Commissioner.”

A public appointment competition to appoint the next COPNI is currently underway.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Commissioner for Older People was established in legislation in 2011 under the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. COPNI was established as an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) on 25 January 2011 and is sponsored by the Department of Communities. The Commissioner is appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly.
2. The caretaker role will enable the oversight of matters which are currently ongoing in the interests of older people but will exclude any statutory duties.
3. The caretaker role within the office of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland took effect from 13 June 2024 and will be for a period of up to 6 months. It will conclude when a new Commissioner is appointed.  Mr Lynch served his first term of office as Commissioner from June 2016 and was reappointed in June 2020, which is the maximum permitted under the legislation.
4. This appointment is remunerated and attracts a salary of £79,803 (current as of 2022).
5. This appointment has been made in accordance with guidance from the office of Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPA NI) Code of Practice.  
6. 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 the appointees to be published. Mr Lynch has not declared any political activity in the last five years.
7. Biography:
   
   Eddie Lynch has been the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland since June 2016.  During this time he has published reports and provided guidance and recommendations on a wide range of issues including financial abuse, scams, criminal justice and care homes. Prior to this, Eddie was the founding Chief Executive of Age Sector Platform, a campaigning organisation for older people across Northern Ireland.  During this time he led several successful campaigns for policy change and in 2010 created the NI Pensioners Parliament, a structure that has enabled older people from across Northern Ireland have their voices heard on key issues that affect them.  Eddie was also previously the Head of Consumer Affairs at the Consumer Council, where he oversaw policy on transport, financial and food issues.  A native of Armagh City. Eddie now lives in Belfast with his wife and two children.
8. Mr Lynch does not hold any other public appointments.

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