Ó Cuív defends Waterways Ireland over job procedures

MINISTER for Community Affairs Éamon Ó Cuívsaid that he was "absolutely happy" with procedures in the cross-Border body Waterways Ireland as Fine Gael claimed the organisation had failed to learn from employment cases taken against it.

Fine Gael community affairs spokesman Michael Ringsaid that there had been "nothing but controversy since that body was set up".

He said Waterways Ireland failed to learn from a harassment and bullying case which was upheld and settled as another case subsequently emerged.

"The taxpayer had to pay an individual a substantial amount of money," he said of the first case.

"Then we find last week under the Equality Commission, where an individual did not have an opportunity to make an application for a job, the job was not advertised or filled by open competition. That case again was upheld and the person was proven to be right."

The Mayo TD said that in the past authorities in the South may have got away with poor procedures. "But there are standards in the North. One thing about the unionists, they have standards. And again we've been found out."

Mr Ó Cuív said, however, that the two Ministers North and South had responsibility for the decisions of Waterways Ireland and he was "absolutely happy with the procedures". He said: "Contrary to what has been alleged publicly I am satisfied that Waterways Ireland is delivering competently on the targets in its business plan and is an effective organisation."

Mr Ring insisted they were not just allegations. Both cases were upheld, and there was a particular case going through the High Court.

He asked if the Minister believed all jobs should be open to competition and, if he did, what had he done in relation to the case of bullying. "Has anyone lost their job? Has anyone been brought in and reprimanded?" he asked. "Have they not learned from the first case?"

The Minister said: "I'm happy that the body has a written policy on recruitment and promotions based on best principles and best practice . . ."

Mr Ó Cuív pointed out that when Waterways Ireland was established it had absorbed staff from the canals and drainage division of the OPW and staff in the North. "They had to be accepted into the body on the transfer," he said.