More Questions at NIW

28 January 2011

More Questions at NIW

Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-

“Whether as the result of OFMDFM’s serial bungling or the product of deliberate hand-picking, revelations about the composition of the panel ‘investigating’ DRD/NIW means its credibility is holed below the waterline. The inability and failure of OFMDFM to explain itself only adds to the loss in public confidence.

“Since NIW suspiciously refused to answer my FOI request on the attendance level of its Dublin Chairman, Padraic White, during the water crisis, I have been investigating what other demands exist on his time by reason of other appointments which he holds. The list is quite staggering, leaving one to wonder when he gets time to earn his £40,000 pa as Chairman of NIW?

“According to ‘Bloomberg Businessweek’ (http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=183910&privcapId=34863399&previousCapId=61845618&previousTitle=SolarPrint%20Limited )

In addition to his employment as Interim Chairman of Northern Ireland Water Limited, he is

• the Chairman of Investment Committee of Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund.
• Chairman of Senior Advisory Board at SolarPrint Limited.
• Chairman of Board of Winicabs.
• Director of financial services company Willis Risk Services Ltd. (Ireland).
• Director of London Life & General Re-insurance Ltd. (Ireland).
• Director of Canada Life International Ltd. (Ireland).
• He ... has interests in a diverse array of small and medium enterprises in wind energy, smokeless fuel, solar cells, radio, recruitment, and accredited certification.  
• He is the Chairman of the Enterprise Council of West Belfast and Greater Shankill.
• Chairman of Louth Economic Forum.

• Chairman of Coolock Development Council, Dublin.
• Council Member of Economic & Social Research Institute, Dublin.

In addition he seems to serve on several other bodies, both commercial and community.

For what it is worth, I have served a fresh FOI request on NIW seeking information on how many directorships, public appointments in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and other commitments, the Chairman of NIW holds (paid and unpaid), what is his time commitment to same and when and how did NIW become aware of same?

Since, there is a wider issue of concern arising from whether persons appointed to take up public appointments in Northern Ireland are even asked to declare other jobs, outside existing NI public appointments, which they might hold elsewhere, and which might impinge on their capacity to do the job, I have raised a variety of concerns with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Ms Felicity Huston.

I have written to her in the following terms:-

Dear Commissioner,

I write to seek clarification as to whether when someone is being considered for a public appointment they are required to declare only any other NI public appointments held by them, or all public appointments wherever held? So, for example, if someone is being appointed, like the interim Chairman of NIW, is he and should he be asked to declare any appointments held by him in the Republic of Ireland, or elsewhere? Furthermore, do appointments or roles outside the public sector have to be declared?

Likewise are time commitments arising from other appointments or offices already held taken into consideration, as patently the time to do the job is surely a practical and relevant consideration?

Are you satisfied that the public appointments system operating within Northern Ireland is sufficiently robust that it does not over-concentrate the positions in the hands such serial office holders? Also, is it possible that the taxpayer is being sold short by holders of full-time public service posts holding paid directorships or other remunerative offices while supposedly working full-time in their main employment? What procedures have you in place to counter such?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

NI politics