HL Deb 24 February 2005 vol 669 cc217-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations have been made to the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure on behalf of the 20 Waterways Ireland staff who will not accept an internal investigation into allegations of staff bullying; what were the dates of the representations; and what was the department's response. [HL946]

Baroness Amos

Representations on this matter have been made to the sponsor departments. These representations explicitly requested that they be treated as confidential and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment on them.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which jetties in the Enniskillen area Waterways Ireland has recently replaced with floating jetties; when this took place; for what reason; at what cost; when the previous jetties were put in place, and at what cost. [HL947]

Baroness Amos

The fixed timber jetties at Broadmeadow and at Regal Pass in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh are currently being replaced with 300 metres of new floating jetties. They are being replaced for health and safety reasons at a cost of approximately £300,000.

The timber jetties were constructed, prior to the establishment of Waterways Ireland, by the Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the 1970s and 1980s and the costs are not available.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 27 January (WA 727) concerning recruitment to Waterways Ireland, whether the posts of directors were subject to the law of the United Kingdom. [HL1118]

Baroness Amos

Employment in the posts of director in Waterways Ireland is likely to be subject to the law of the United Kingdom.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 31 January (WA 2) concerning recruitment to Waterways Ireland, what difficulties are being experienced in recruiting technical staff. [HL1119]

Baroness Amos

The prevailing competitive market conditions in the construction related industry has resulted in some difficulties being experienced by Waterways Ireland in recruiting technical staff.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the case of complaints of bullying from 21 members of staff at Waterways Ireland, who decided that an external enquiry should be held in one case when internal enquiries were held in all other cases; and what was the basis for this decision. [HL1194]

Baroness Amos

All such complaints should be dealt with in accordance with agreed procedures. The exception, to which the question refers. was a complaint made before agreed procedures were in place and the decision on the procedure to be used in this case was made by the sponsor departments with the agreement of the principal parties involved.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 October 2004 (WA 49–50) concerning appointments to Waterways Ireland, what were the qualifications required for the post of director of marketing and communication [HL1270]

Baroness Amos

I understand from the chief executive at Waterways Ireland that the criteria required for appointment at this level are that the person must have a minimum of 10 years' experience, including at least five years at a senior level, in administration or management. The current director of marketing and communications meets these criteria.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What marketing and communications qualifications the director of marketing and communications of Waterways Ireland holds. [HL1272]

Baroness Amos

I understand from the chief executive at Waterway Ireland that the criteria required for appointment at this level are that the person must have a minimum of 10 years' experience, including at least five years at a senior level, in administration or management. The current director of marketing and communications meets these criteria.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the appointment to the position of marketing and communications director for Waterways Ireland was a promotion for the person appointed. [HL1273]

Baroness Amos

The appointment in question represented a promotion for the person involved.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 February (WA 96) concerning Waterways Ireland appointments, who was appointed director of corporate services. [HL1322]

Baroness Amos

The appointment to the post of director of corporate services has not yet been finalised.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 27 January (WA 173) concerning Waterways Ireland, what position the director of marketing and communications held in the Irish department previously responsible for waterways. [HL1324]

Baroness Amos

It would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to comment on personnel matters in the Irish Civil Service.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many applicants there were for the post of head of administration in marketing and communications in Waterways Ireland; on what basis was the appointment made; and where the successful applicant worked before appointment. [HL1351]

Baroness Amos

I have nothing further to add to my Answer of 12 October 2004(WA 50).

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the years 2003 and 2004, how much was paid in overtime to staff of Waterways Ireland in Eire and Northern Ireland. [HL1352]

Baroness Amos: Waterways Ireland's overtime payments were as follows:

Period RoI UK
2003 [...]1,983,593 [...]56,226
2004 [...]1,673,157 [...]59,982

The figures are in euros as this is the operating currency of the body.