HL Deb 17 November 2004 vol 666 cc158-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 October (WA 50), where, on what dates, and in what way the appointment of a director to Waterways Ireland was advertised; and whether this was in keeping with the agreement of 30 March 2001 with the Irish Municipal Public and Civil Trade Union. [HL4504]

Baroness Amos

The process for filling the post of director of marketing and communications was decribed in my earlier Answer of 12 October 2004 (WA 49). The post was not advertised. In respect of the noble Lord's final point, I have nothing further to add to my Answer of 4 November 2004 (WA 40).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the then Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure informed the Northern Ireland Assembly on 10 September 2002 that the Waterways Ireland director of marketing and communication had been appointed following open competition; and, if he did, whether the statement was correct. [HL4533]

Barnoness Amos

On 10 September 2002 the Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Michael McGimpsey) informed the Northern Ireland Assembly on Waterways Ireland recruitment as followsFollowing open competition, four Directors have been appointed for Operations, Finance and Personnel, Technical Services and Marketing and Communications, and six other heads of functions have been recruited.

(Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report 10 September 2002, Bound Volume 18 Page 43).

The statement was incorrect. The director of marketing and communications was not appointed through an open competition.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the director of corporate services for Waterways Ireland is an employee of Waterways Ireland rather than a secondee from the Civil Service; and when the director will be appointed. [HL4585]

Baroness Amos

The director of corporate services (designate) at Waterways Ireland is a civil servant on secondment to the body from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The date of appointment has yet to be determined.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their procedure for the appointment of the Waterways Ireland's director of marketing and communication was approved by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Department of Finance and Personnel and the North/South Ministerial Council; and, if so, on what date in each case. [HL4608]

Baroness Amos

The post of director of marketing and communications was agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council on 27 June 2001. The procedure for appointment was given in my Answer of 12 October (WA 49). The method of filling the post was a matter for the chief executive.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the remuneration of the director of marketing and communication of Waterways Ireland has changed since that appointment was made. [HL4743]

Baroness Amos

Yes. Since his appointment in April 2002, the director of marketing and communications has received two pay awards as well as progressing up his pay scale by two incremental points.