NIW Chairman on £1000 per day ‘overtime’!

14 February 2011

 

Following a reply from the Permanent Secretary of DRD, TUV Leader Jim Allister has revealed that the UK Corporate Governance Code was not followed by Conor Murphy in the appointment of the interim Chairman and the 4 non-executive directors to NIW last year.

 

It has also emerged that in addition to his £40,000 salary the Dublin-based Chairman gets £1000 per day for any extra time worked over the 3-4 days which his contract requires him to commit to NIW.

 

Though Mr White would be expected to declare to NIW any new commitments taken on since his appointment, he has not done so. This includes his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Winicabs.

 

Commenting Jim Allister said, “The more that emerges about the machinations within NIW the more shambolic things appear. What is the point in having a Corporate Governance Code if it is wantonly ignored? It seems pretty clear that Murphy wanted White appointed and the means didn’t really come into it. Nor, does it seem was there any thorough investigation if he’d even have time to do the job.

 

“I have previously commented on these issues:

http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=2217

http://www.jimallister.org/default.asp?blogID=2220

 

“I now set out the most recent correspondence with DRD."

 

Dear Mr Allister

 

Re: Appointment of interim Chairman and 4 interim Non-Executive Directors to NI Water

 

Thank you for your letter of 2 February where you asked whether the Minister and the Department adhered to the UK Corporate Governance Code in making interim appointments to the NI Water Board last year.

 

The UK Corporate Governance Code was not specifically referred to, although most of the issues you identify were addressed as part of the process. Given the urgent need to get an interim Board in place, the Department's main focus was on securing the agreement of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI) to running an interim process. The Commissioner agreed to this as an exception to the CPANI Code on the clear understanding that the posts would be short-term in nature and that a full appointments process would proceed as soon as possible.

 

I will respond to each of your specific questions in the order you have asked them.

 

• What was the time commitment required in the job description for Interim Chairman?

The time commitment required was specified to be 3-4 days per month with any days worked in addition to this estimate being remunerated at £1,000 per diem subject to a maximum of 5 additional days.

 

• Did it specify availability in the event of a crisis?

Availability in the event of a crisis was assumed, not specifically stated.

 

•                     Did it require disclosure of other significant commitments and were those made before Mr White was appointed?

 Yes, as with all candidates, prior to his appointment, Mr White was required to sign declarations regarding any conflicts of interest and any political activity.

 

•                     Did Mr White's letter of appointment set out the time commitment required of him and did he declare all his other commitments and the time they consumed?

Yes, the time commitment required was included in the terms and conditions attached as an annex to Mr White's letter of appointment. Mr White agreed to these conditions and did not highlight any conflict of interest in relation to any of his other commitments.

 

• Subsequent to his appointment has he declared any new commitments undertaken by him and, if so, when?

Mr White has not declared any new commitments undertaken by him since taking up the interim appointment.

 

Yours sincerely

 

D M McKIBBIN (Dr)

Permanent Secretary

 

Reply to Dr McKibbin:-

 

Dear Dr McKibbin,

 

Re: Appointments at NIW

 

Thank you for your reply of 14th inst.

 

I note the UK Corporate Governance Code was not followed. Is it being followed in the current NIW appointment process and were the interim appointments an exception to the norm of adhering to it, or does DRD/NIW habitually disregard it?

 

Should I take your answer to question 3 as express confirmation that Mr White was required to disclose all other significant commitments, whether in Northern Ireland, or elsewhere, and that he did so? Or, in terms of what he disclosed, are you merely relying on the self-regulation of a declaration of interests? I would like clarity on this matter. It is a matter of record, for example, that Mr White holds multiple appointments in commerce and the public life of the Republic of Ireland, including,

·         the Chairman of Investment Committee of Bank of Ireland Seed and Early Stage Equity Fund.

·         Chairman of Senior Advisory Board at SolarPrint Limited.  

·         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.

 

did he declare all of these? If so, was he questioned in consequence as to when he'd have time to Chair NIW?

 

In regard to the expectation that he would declare any new interests taken on after taking up office as Chairman of NIW, I conclude from your answer to question 5 that he has not troubled to declare that he has taken up the Chairmanship of the Board of Winicabs? Do you plan any action in light of this failure?

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

NI politics