The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, has announced the extension of the appointment of Mitchell B. Reiss as the UK Commissioner to the Independent Reporting Commission from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The Northern Ireland Executive nominees, Monica McWilliams and John McBurney have also been extended and the Irish Government has extended the appointment of Tim O’Connor for the same period.
Background
The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) was established following the Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 by an international treaty between the UK Government and the Government of Ireland.
Its key functions are to report on progress towards ending paramilitary activity and on the implementation of the relevant measures of the UK Government, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The IRC continues to play an important role in reporting on progress towards ending paramilitarism in Northern Ireland and the independent perspective offered by the Commission provides a significant contribution in scrutinising and shaping that effort.
Further information on the work of the Commission can be found here.
Terms of appointment
The UK Commissioner position attracts a remuneration of £22,750 per annum and is not pensionable. The Northern Ireland Executive nominees receive a similar remuneration package.
The Irish Government is responsible for setting the terms for its nominee.
Political Activity
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories within the last five years to be made public.
The UK Government nominee and Northern Ireland Executive nominees have declared no such political activity in the past five years.
Regulation
Appointments to the Independent Reporting Commission are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.