Who we are

The Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Juan Watterson BA ACA MHK, was appointed on 14 October 2011.

He is responsible for the political direction of the Department and all its services, including the Isle of Man Constabulary, Fire and Rescue, Prison and Probation services, Communications and Emergency Planning.

Since 2006, Mr Watterson has been the Member of the House of Keys for Rushen, and is a former employee of KPMG.

He was previously a political member of the Department of Economic Development with special responsiblity for Financial Services, Companies Registry and Information Systems Division. Prior to this he was also Chairman of the Planning Committee and a political member in the Department of Local Government and the Environment and the Department of Health and Social Security.

Mr Watterson, who is married to Helena and has a daughter, is a keen walker and chess player, acts as Treasurer of Southern Befrienders and plays an active role on the Royal British Legion Committee.

Mr Watterson is assisted in his responsibilities at the Department of Home Affairs by Mr David Quirk MHK and Mr Peter Karran MHK.

David Quirk was first elected MHK for Onchan in 2006 and successfully retained his seat in the 2011 General Election.

Mr Quirk was born in Douglas and educated at Murray's Road Primary School and Douglas High School for Boys. He bega his working life as a plumbing and heating engineer before subsequently being appointed as a contract supervisor for Douglas Corporation.

His political career began in 1986 after being elected to Onchan District Commissioners, where he remained until his election as an MHK in 2006. During this twenty year period he served as a member of all of the Commissioners Committees and as Chairman twice.

Since his election as an MHK he has served as a member of seven Government Departments and Offices, most recently as a member of the Department of Infrastructure (2010-211) and Vice-Chairman of the Office of Fair Trading (2009-2011). In addition, he has also served a member of the Select Committee on the Manx Electricity Authority (2007 - date) and as a member of the Chief Minister’s Committee on recommendations for the Queens Pier Ramsey.

Mr Quirk has a wife, Elizabeth, with whom he has one grown up duaghter. His interests incude sport within the Onchan community, bowling, wildlife and current affairs.

Peter Karran was elected as MHK for Middle in the 1985 by-election before being subsequently elected as MHK for Onchan in the 1986 general election, a seat he has retained ever since. Prior to his election as an MHK he worked as a Youth Leader and served on the Board of Education from 1982 until 1985.

Following his election he has served as a member for the following Grovernment Boards and Departments - Highway and Transport Board 1985-86; Board Consumer Affairs 1986; Health and Social Security 1986-91, (special responsibility for social services) and 1996-2004; War Pensions Committee 1987-91; Home Affairs 1991-93; Education 1991-95; Highways, Ports and Properties 1993-95; and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2004-06. In addition he also served as the Chair of the Water Board from 1990 until 2003 and was Minister for Education and Children from 2011 until 2012.

Mr Karran has also served on the following Tynwald Committees - Trade Unions Legislation 1985-86; Petition for Redress 1985-86; Ecclesiastical 1987-91; Drug Abuse 1987-89; Tynwald Ceremony 1995-96; Ministerial Government 1998-99; Tynwald Honours 1999-2002; Expenditure and Public Accounts 2002-06;Expenditure and Public Accounts Sub-Committee on DoT In-House Capital Schemes 2003; Select Committee on the Petition for Redress of Grievance of Wendy and David Megson 2004-06; Petition for Redress of Grievance of John Michael Leather 2004-05; Select Committee on Queen’s Pier 2005-06; PAC Sub-Committee on the MEA 2005-06; Select Committee on the Affairs of Braddan Commissioners 2007-09; Scrutiny 2010-11; and Honours 2007-11.

Finally, Mr Karran is also a founder member, and the party leader, of the Liberal Vannin Party.