STORMONT REGIONAL Development Minister Conor Murphy has agreed to appear before a special sitting of his Assembly scrutiny committee next month following the suspension of his chief civil servant.
A special meeting of the committee takes place at Stormont tomorrow following the dramatic suspension of permanent secretary Paul Priestley on Tuesday pending an investigation into Northern Ireland Water.
Earlier this year four of Northern Ireland Water’s non-executive directors were sacked amid concerns over tendering for about £28 million (€34 million) in contracts.
Former IDA chief Padraic White was appointed interim chairman of Northern Ireland Water on August 6th, following the dismissal of chairman Chris Mellor.
The head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Bruce Robinson, announced Mr Priestly was being suspended “pending an investigation into events following the Public Accounts Committee hearing on NI Water.”
In a statement, the Northern Ireland Civil Service announced: “The investigation will consider information which has just emerged.
“The suspension, in accordance with Northern Ireland Civil Service personnel procedures, is for the purpose of facilitating the investigation and is not a disciplinary penalty,” the statement read.
This prompted criticism of the Minister from both the DUP, which had largely supported Mr Murphy in his approach to Northern Ireland Water, and the SDLP.
The Traditional Unionist Voice has called for an inquiry to be held into the running of Northern Ireland Water.
In a hard-hitting statement yesterday, the DUP vice-chairwoman of the Assembly regional development committee, Michelle McIlveen, referred to the suspension as unprecedented at Stormont.
Referring to a UTV interview given by the Minister on Monday, in which he defended his most senior civil servant, Ms McIlveen questioned his sudden apparent change of heart.
“Whilst we need to establish the truth about the role of the permanent secretary, many will question how the [Department for Regional Development] Minister was able to offer defence for the permanent secretary, and in less than 24 hours make a compete U-turn.”
SDLP Assembly member Conall McDevitt expressed concern at the seriousness of the situation within the department. “This raises serious questions about whether Conor Murphy knew about the situation inside the department and NIW and whether he was fully apprised of all developments by his senior officials,” he said.
However, Mr Murphy was defended by Sinn Féin colleague Paul Maskey, who said: “Clearly Conor Murphy has received information of a significant nature.”
Last night the department said in a statement that all matters relating to “governance failures” were subject to Stormont scrutiny and that a report was due in the autumn. “The Minister for Regional Development will brief the Assembly at the first available opportunity,” it said.
“The Minister’s office this morning was in contact with officials from the Assembly regional development committee to schedule a date on behalf of the Minister to fully brief members at the earliest opportunity also.
“The appointment of an interim permanent secretary is being taken forward with urgency.”