§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the terms of the investigation into allegations of bullying, harassment and mismanagement at Waterways Ireland; and what period the investigation covered.[HL461]
§ Baroness AmosIndependent investigators were appointed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs jointly to carry out a thorough, detailed and impartial investigation into allegations by a member of staff of Waterways Ireland of bullying and harassment and allegations questioning recruitment and promotion practices in the body and28WA to recommend whether further action is required. The investigation covered the period from April 2000 to December 2003.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What qualifications were specified in the recruitment of the Chief Executive and Director of Waterways Ireland; and how many applications there were for each post. [HL489]
§ Baroness AmosThe number of applications for each post, according to records held by the consultants appointed in the recruiting process, were as follows:
Chief Executive: 67 applications received Director of Operations: 24 applications received Director of Finance & Personnel: 14 applications received Director of Technical Services: 14 applications received Director of Corporate Services: 29 applications received The above posts were subject to open competition and the specifications for each post have been placed in the Library.
The post of Director of Marketing and Communications at Waterways Ireland was not filled by open competition and I would refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 12 October 2004 (WA 49 and WA 50 )
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure became aware of allegations of staff bullying, harassment and mismanagement at Waterways Ireland; and on what date an investigation was authorised. [HL490]
§ Baroness AmosI refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 12 October 2004 (col.WA 50 )
The sponsor departments for Waterways Ireland, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the South compiled the terms of reference for an investigation. This was put to the concerned parties in June 2003. The investigation was authorised when these terms were accepted by them in July 2003
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the investigation into harassment and bullying at Waterways Ireland, all the 21 staff who complained (a) had their cases investigated; and (b) were interviewed; and what were the results of the investigation. [HL516]
§ Baroness AmosThe complaint that has been investigated concerns allegations made by one member of staff at Waterways Ireland. He (a) has had 29WA his case investigated and (b) was interviewed. A report on the investigation has been completed and it is being acted upon by the two sponsor departments and by Waterways Ireland.
A further 20 members of staff have collectively alleged bullying and harassment at Waterways Ireland. This complaint will be dealt with by the body under internal procedures.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all the complainants in the investigation into staff harassment and bullying at Waterways Ireland have been informed in writing of all the findings of the investigation; and, if so, on what date. [HL519]
§ Baroness AmosThe complainant, who alleged harassment and bullying at Waterways Ireland, was informed in writing of the findings of the investigation on 3 December 2004.
A further 20 staff made a collective allegation of harassment and bullying at Waterways Ireland and this will be dealt with by the body under internal procedures.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to take any action against those concerned in the allegations of staff harassment and bullying at Waterways Ireland in advance of their responses to the results of the investigation. [HL520]
§ Baroness AmosThe report into allegations of bullying and harassment at Waterways Ireland which takes account of the responses of the individuals concerned is now complete and it is being acted upon by both sponsor departments and by the body.