DCAL Minister Dodges Question on Appointment of Special Adviser
18 July 2011
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:“During her interview on the BBC’s Spotlight programme Culture Minister Carol Cullen stated:
“The party appointed myself and Mary McArdle to these positions.”
“This suggests there was a breach of the Code of Practice on the Appointment of Special Advisers issued by DFP in March 2011. Under Section 4 (Framework for Selection and Appointment) the Code states:
(a) Given Northern Ireland’s unique equality legislation, Ministers should not put themselves in a position which gives rise to challenge. Ministers should be careful therefore to make the selection on justifiable grounds, and to consider potential candidates on their merits;
(b) Ministers have a personal responsibility to ensure that selection is free from unlawful discrimination;
(c) Ministers should ensure that they consider a number of candidates.
“The Code goes on to say that “when the Minister makes a selection from the pool [of candidates], either by interview or as a paper exercise, it is important that the selection is made on sustainable and lawful grounds and that the Minister’s reasons are recorded”.
“In light of her remarks on Spotlight I tabled the following question: To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she or her Party selected Mary McArdle as her Special Adviser.
“Cullen’s answer – “I appointed Mary McArdle as my Special Adviser” – of course completely dodges the question of who selected McArdle.
“When Stormont reconvenes after the summer recess I intend to pursue this matter further. However, is already clear that there were numerous breaches of the DFP Code in relation to the appointment of Mary McArdle as a Special Adviser. I await Minister Wilson’s response to my question about whether he believes the Code of Practice was complied with with interest.”
Note to editors: Mr Allister tabled the following question to the DFP Minister Sammy Wilson on the last day before Stormont went into recess:
To ask the Minister for Finance and Personnel (i) if he is confident that the DFP Code of Practice on the Appointment of Special Advisers has been followed by all Ministers and (ii) to explain what steps DFP took when it came to the appointment of the current batch of Special Advisers to ensure it was complied with.
