Ms Pat Hume, wife of the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, has been appointed to the RTE Authority.
The surprise appointment was agreed by Cabinet yesterday and confirmed later by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Island, Ms de Valera. She replaces Ms Anne Tannahill, the managing director of Blackstaff Press in Belfast, who has resigned. Ms Hume was appointed from yesterday until May 31st, 2000, and, according to the Minister, was asked to take up the position because of her extensive experience in community work.