Allister slams OFMDFM silence
14 June 2007
Jim Allister MEP has rounded on OFMDFM for failing to even acknowledge, never mind answer, a series of letters he wrote 5 weeks ago when the new executive took office. Pointedly raising issues of political controversy, the letters range overhow OFMDFM operates, the role of special advisers, moves on employment of people with terrorist convictions and the Sexual Orientation Regulations.
In a statement Mr Allister said:-
“Having waited 5 weeks for even an acknowledgement, never mind substantive replies, to a series of letters which I have written to the First Minister and the Executive, the time has come to comment on the lamentable failure of OFMDFM to discharge its responsibilities in respect of correspondence from me as an elected representative.
I attach the letters involved and as will be observed they raise a range of important issues, including the modus operandi of OFMDFM, the moves to ease recruitment of terrorists, the issue of special advisers and the Sexual Orientation Regulations. By way of example, the letter on how OFMDFM functions was couched as follows:-
Pursuant to the appointment of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, please advise me of the protocol/procedures which will govern the sharing of information as between the appointees. In particular, if I as a public representative have occasion to write to the First Minister, for example, will my correspondence, and any documentation/information generated by it, be available to the Deputy First Minister, and/or his Junior Minister and/or their staff (including specialist advisers), either as of right, given the joint nature of the office, or upon request, or not at all? Or will I be able to stipulate that my correspondence, and any documentation/information generated by it, should be seen only by the office-holder of my choice?
I would appreciate total clarity on this matter.
Given the vast array of staff at their disposal, I am astounded that the First Minister and the Executive have to date been unwilling, or unable, to reply to my letters. Even an acknowledgement would have been a basic courtesy.
Considering that I have had expeditious replies from other Departments, including DOE, DETI, DRD and DSD, I am left to wonder why OFMDFM is so tardy in meeting its obligations. Whereas, there may be a sense of embarrassment caused by the issues highlighted, this is no excuse for running away.”
Mr Nigel Hamilton
Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service
Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Block A, Castle Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT4 3SR
1 May 2007
Dear Mr Hamilton
Please advise me of the protocols and arrangements which exist in respect of specialist/political advisers appointed by ministers of the incoming Executive.
Is their appointment in the gift of the individual minister, or are there any objective criteria applied and, if so, by whom. Are there any prohibitions, for example, criminal convictions or family relationship? Moreover, are they subjected to security vetting, or do they have to declare if they have ever been convicted of a criminal offence? Are they required to sign the Official Secrets Act? Is there information to which they can be denied access, and, if so, on what basis? What is the nature of their tenure of office and by what process, if any, and on what basis can they be removed?
Further, please identify each and every such adviser, along with their date of appointment, and advise me of the financial package relating to each, including salary, allowances (including travel), benefits in kind and pension costs and rights. In addition, can you describe the facilities afforded to each in terms of offices etc and advise the cost to the public purse of equipping and running same.
In so far as it is necessary, I rely on the Freedom of Information Act to ground this request.
Yours sincerely
James H Allister QC MEP
Mr Nigel Hamilton
Secretary to the Executive
Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Block A, Castle Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT4 3SR
8 May 2007
Dear Mr Hamilton,
Re: Section 75, Northern Ireland Act 1998
Please advise how far the Executive, acting corporately as such, will regard itself as bound by and subject to the provisions of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, 1998.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister, QC MEP
Mr Nigel Hamilton
Permanent Secretary
Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Block A, Castle Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT4 3SR
8 May 2007
Dear Mr Hamilton,
Pursuant to the appointment of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, please advise me of the protocol/procedures which will govern the sharing of information as between the appointees. In particular, if I as a public representative have occasion to write to the First Minister, for example, will my correspondence, and any documentation/information generated by it, be available to the Deputy First Minister, and/or his Junior Minister and/or their staff (including specialist advisers), either as of right, given the joint nature of the office, or upon request, or not at all? Or will I be able to stipulate that my correspondence, and any documentation/information generated by it, should be seen only by the office-holder of my choice?
I would appreciate total clarity on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister
Rt Hon Dr Ian RK Paisley MP MLA
First Minister
Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Castle Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST
BT43SR
8 May 2007
Dear First Minister,
Re: The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006
I write to urge you forthwith to take steps to initiate the repeal of the above regulations.
These regulations, in my view, go beyond what is required by the Equality Act and relevant EU Directives. Moreover, there are EU countries where such legislation has not been implemented.
As you know this legislation has caused great offence among Christian people. The prioritising of the rights bestowed by these regulations above the conscience and religious belief of service providers is an outrage and a stain on any Department which oversees the implementation of such a perverse law.
I would be obliged, therefore, if you could keep me informed of progress in repealing these obnoxious regulations.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister QC MEP
Rt Hon Dr Ian R K Paisley MP MLA
First Minister
Office of First and Deputy First Minister
Castle Buildings
Stormont
BELFAST BT4 3SR
8 May 2007
Dear First Minister,
Re: “RECRUITING PEOPLE WITH CONFLICT-RELATED CONVICTIONS EMPLOYERS’ GUIDANCE”
Further to the publication of the above, I have a number of queries and observations.
1. Can you specify the precise status of this so- called “Employers’ Guidance”? Is it indeed wholly voluntary, are there any ramifications if an employer declines to follow it, or ignore or breach it? What status and weight will it have in tribunals?
2. Within the public sector is it at all voluntary?
3. Should I understand that within the NICS the document and its practices are now adopted? Was this a decision of OFMDFM or DFP?
4. Are the minutes and all other documents pertaining to the meetings of the working group publicly available? If so can they be furnished to me? In so far as necessary I rely on the Freedom of Information Act in making this request.
5. Is the report of the Working Group publicly available?
6. Can you identify the “representative group of ex-prisoners” who served on the working group?
7. Can you identify the make-up of the anticipated Tripartite Review Panel, in particular the pool of ex-prisoners from which representatives will be drawn?
8. Can you advise me if the guidance document was equality proofed, pursuant to Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, 1998 ?
9. Where, within the guidance, is there scope to consider the impact of employing a convicted terrorist on working relationships within a place of employment? Why is that not a relevant consideration?
10. Do you agree with this document and support its implementation?
11. Do you support and endorse paragraph 4.2?
I look forward to hearing from you in respect of what I believe to be an unwarranted and unnecessary sop to terrorist interests.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister QC MEP
