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Tributes are paid to former businessman Sir George Quigley

Tributes are paid to former businessman Sir George Quigley

TRIBUTES have been paid to the former businessman Sir George Quigley who has passed away suddenly at the age of 83.

Sir George had been a top civil servant before he entered the private sector in the late 1980s.

After retiring as Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance and Personnel, Sir George joined the Board of Ulster Bank, becoming chairman in 1989. As a mark of his contribution to the organisation, Ulster Bank continues to support the Sir George Quigley Award, which is open annually on a cross-border basis to groups within the community and voluntary sector.

Sir George also served as a director of aircraft company Short Brothers.

But his contribution to the Northern Ireland community and economy were not just confirmed to the boardroom. He carried out a review of the Parades Commission between 2001-02 which urged the Government to scrap the body and reconstitute it.

In 2009, Sir George was one of two independent witnesses who were called upon to verify the decommissioning of weapons by the loyalist paramilitary organisation, the Ulster Defence Association.

More recently he headed an industrial taskforce which backed the reduction of corporation tax as a way of boosting the local economy.

The Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, led the many tributes to Sir George. They said: “We were fortunate to meet Sir George on many occasions. He was a strong advocate of mutual respect in building a cohesive and equal society.”

They added: “Sir George played an important role in developing networks within communities in Northern Ireland in an attempt to achieve a better understanding of each others’ views.”

Sir George passed away on Sunday (March 3) after becoming ill while attending a service at Helen’s Bay Presbyterian Church. 

The Funeral took place on Thursday (March 7). A Service was held in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church, Ballyrobert (Directions).

Donations in lieu of flowers were requested in memory of Sir George to The Belfast Charitable Society, Clifton House (payable to: Belfast Charitable Society) c/o James Brown & Sons, Funeral Directors, 719 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3NU.

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