§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President of 11 January (WA 28), whether the investigation into staff bullying at Waterways Ireland found that there had been bullying of the Director of Corporate Services by senior management; and whether a copy of the investigation report will be placed in the Library of the House. [HL766]
§ Baroness AmosActions as a consequence of the report are being discussed with Waterways Ireland and until they are agreed it would be inappropriate to comment.
As stated in my Answer of 11 January (Official Report, col. WA 28) the report contains personal information and information provided in confidence and therefore it would be inappropriate to place a copy in the Library.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 28), when the investigation into staff bullying at Waterways Ireland started; who were the independent investigators; and how they were selected. [HL767]
§ Baroness AmosThe investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment at Waterways Ireland commenced in November 2003 on the appointment of the joint independent investigators.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), the Northern Ireland sponsor department, appointed Richard Buchanan in this matter for his extensive expertise in the public sector, his knowledge of personnel matters and his availability to undertake a lengthy investigation. The appointment of the other investigator is a matter for the sponsor department in the Republic of Ireland and it would be inappropriate for Her Majesty's Government to comment.
126WA
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 November 2004 (WA 159) which indicated that the Northern Ireland Assembly had been wrongly informed about the appointment of the Director of Marketing and Communication for Waterways Ireland, why the assembly was wrongly informed; and whether the current Minister will offer an apology in the appropriate place. [HL774]
§ Baroness AmosThe statement made by the former Northern Ireland Minister of Culture. Arts and Leisure to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 10 September 2002 was incorrect due to an administrative error. The error is regretted and has been corrected.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 28) concerning allegations of staff bullying at Waterways Ireland, when the collective complaints were made; when the complaints procedures started; when they will be completed; what the procedures are; and whether the 20 staff agreed to an internal investigation. [HL777]
§ Baroness AmosOn 30 April 2004 20 members of staff at Waterways Ireland made a collective written complaint of bullying and other problems at the body to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA), the sponsor department in the Republic of Ireland. A copy of the complaint was received by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) on 4 May 2004.
The sponsor departments agreed that the complaint could not properly be dealt with while an investigation into a prior complaint was already in progress. The complaint will be dealt with by Waterways Ireland under their policy and procedures on bullying and harassment which extends to all employees at the body. It is not part of that policy to seek agreement with staff as to the method of investigation to be used. Formal complaint procedures in this matter vv ill start as soon as possible with a view to prompt conclusion.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 28) concerning allegations of staff bullying at Waterways Ireland, what action is being taken by Waterways Ireland and by the sponsoring departments as a result of the investigation. [HL778]
§ Baroness AmosActions as a consequence of the investigation report are being discussed with Waterways Ireland and until they are agreed it would be inappropriate to comment.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 11 January (WA 27–28) concerning staff bullying at Waterways Ireland which indicated that the investigation covered the period April 2000 127WA to December 2003, whether there were allegations of bullying relating to incidents after the investigation had started. [HL797]
§ Baroness AmosThe sponsor departments received allegations of bullying after the investigation had started. However, the departments agreed that they are outside the terms of reference for the investigation. A separate complaint was received in May 2004, as detailed in my answer of 11 January 2005 (WA 28). This complaint was beyond the remit of the investigation and will he dealt with by the body under internal procedures.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the chief executive of Waterways Ireland was not suspended during an investigation into allegations of staff bullying, mismanagement and incorrect procedures for recruitment, in light of the suspension of other chief executives of cross-border bodies in similar circumstances. [HL916]
§ Baroness AmosThere were no grounds to suspend the chief executive of Waterways Ireland. No chief executive of a cross-border body has been suspended in similar circumstances.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the cost to date of the inquiries into staff bullying and mismanagement at Waterways Ireland. [HL1089]
§ Baroness AmosThe sponsor departments carried out a joint investigation at Waterways Ireland. The Northern Ireland sponsor department is the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and to date that department has contributed[...]8751.90 to the cost of the investigation. It would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to comment on costs incurred by the sponsor department in the Republic of Ireland.