HL Deb 27 January 2005 vol 668 cc172-3WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether KPMG were engaged by Waterways Ireland to manage the recruitment process for directors, as indicated in the minutes of a North/South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways sector meeting of 23 November 2001 (Paper NSMC W1 3(01)1); if so, what was the process of such engagement; and when it was implemented. [HL651]

Baroness Amos

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 12 November 2004 (Official Report, col. WA 101 ).

I would add that, following a tender process which commenced on 21 January, KPMG were appointed on 24 April 2001 to manage the recruitment of four directors for Waterways Ireland.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether four directors of Waterways Ireland were in post by June 2002 as indicated in the minutes of a North/South Ministerial Council Inland Waterways sector meeting of 26 June 2002 (Paper NSMC W1 1(02)6); and, if so, on what dates each started employment. [HL652]

Baroness Amos

Four directors were in place by June 2002. The Director of Finance and Personnel commenced employment on 19 November 2001; the Director of Operations commenced employment on 5 December 2001; the Director of Technical Services commenced employment on 2 January 2002 and the Director of Marketing and Communications was appointed on 6 June 2002 with effect from 1 April 2002 following his designation and transfer from the department previously responsible for waterways in the South.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 16 December 2004 (WA 101 ), whether members of Waterways Ireland located in the United Kingdom are subject to United Kingdom law. [HL727]

Baroness Amos

The staff of Waterways Ireland are subject to the law of the United Kingdom when they are in the United Kingdom.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 October 2004 (WA 50 ) concerning allegations of staff bullying at Waterways Ireland, why it took from July 2003 to November 2004 to carry out the investigation. [HL776]

Baroness Amos

The investigation commenced in November 2003 on the appointment, by the sponsor departments, of two joint investigators. The investigation involved sensitive personnel matters and it proved to be complex and difficult. There was no unnecessary delay and the investigators submitted their joint report to the departments in November 2004.