The Commissioner is an independent champion for older people, who safeguards and promotes their interests.
Eddie Lynch was appointed as Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland and took up his post on 13 June 2016. The inagural Commissioner Claire Keatinge completed her four year term in November 2015. The role of Commissioner for Older People was established under the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 which was enacted by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 25 January 2011.
The role of Commissioner for Older People was established under the Commissioner for Older People Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 which was enacted by the Northern Ireland Assembly on 25 January 2011. The full legislation can be found here.
The Commissioner's office (COPNI) is set up as a non-departmental public body. Both the Commissioner and his office are sponsored by the Department for Communities but are operationally independent.