Dame Joan Harbison

Dame Joan Harbison was a teacher and lecturer professionally and has extensive experience of public and voluntary service in Northern Ireland. She was the Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland until July 2006 and previously vice chair of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights (SACHR).

She was also a member of the General Dental Council for the United Kingdom and of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority as well as serving on the Financial Services Aurhority Consumer Advisory Panel. She was actively involved in Citizen's Advice Bureau for many years and was its Chair from 1994 to 1995. She is currently a Civil Service Commissioner.

Dame Joan was appointed the Older People's Advocate in December 2008 by the First and Deputy First Minister as an interim measure pending the establishment and appointment of a Commissioner for Old People. The appointment is to identify and address the current problems faced by all older people and provide the Junior Ministers with independent advice on what needs to be done.