Minister Fahey Appoints New Board Member to Labour Relations Commission

Mr Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister for Labour Affairs, appoints a new Member to the Board of the Labour Relations Commission

Mr Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister for Labour Affairs, today (Thursday 10th February 2004) announced the appointment of Mr Peter Bunting to the Board of the Labour Relations Commission. Mr Bunting replaces Mr Tom Wall who has resigned. Mr Bunting was nominated to the position by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Making the announcement the Minister expressed his appreciation of the work and commitment of Mr Wall since his appointment to the Board of the Commission in 1998. The Minister noted Mr Wall's contribution to the strategic development of the Commission during his terms of appointment and his work in the development of the industrial relations services of the Commission.

Minister Fahey welcomed Mr Bunting to his new role and wished him success with his responsibilities on the board of this important body in the industrial relations mechanism of the State.

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Note for Editors

Mr Peter Bunting is the Assistant General Secretary for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Mr Bunting has the responsibility of co-ordinating and developing the Trade Union Movement in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Committee (NIC) of the ICTU is the representative body for approximately 36 trade unions with 220,000 members across Northern Ireland.

A native of Belfast, Mr Bunting has been an active trade unionist since 1972. Prior to his appointment to Congress Mr Bunting served as General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union in the Republic of Ireland. Mr Bunting has held every representative position within this trade union from shop steward to General President. He holds a BA (Hons) from the Faculty of Business, Economic and Social Science, Trinity College, Dublin.

Mr Bunting is also involved in the following organisations: The Board of Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company; The Management Committee of Counteract (Anti-Intimidation Unit); The Management Committee of NI Anti-Poverty Network.; Belfast City Council Good Relations Committee; Economic Development Forum; and Concordia (Social Partnership Alliance), as well as a number of community initiatives.