Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As a North-South implementation body, Waterways Ireland has an excellent record in managing its core business. When I met my counterpart, Rt. Hon. David Hanson MP earlier this year, we noted with satisfaction the achievement made by Waterways Ireland against the 2005 business plan objectives and its steady progress on the main targets for 2006. We jointly expressed our support for the ongoing work of developing and promoting the inland waterways network on the island and commended Waterways Ireland for its progressive approach in identifying the issues facing staff in a cross-Border context, bringing together existing and new staff from different backgrounds and cultures and putting in place a positive plan for the future of the organisation.

On the case to which the Deputy has alluded, the allegations made were very serious and were taken as such by my Department and the co-sponsoring Department in Northern Ireland. An independent investigation was carried out into the allegations of bullying, harassment and related matters in Waterways Ireland by independent investigators appointed by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. The report of the investigators was submitted to the two Departments. The bulk of the allegations were not upheld by the investigation. This is a matter of fact. The investigation, which was independent of Waterways Ireland and the two Departments, came to the conclusion that the bulk of the allegations could not be upheld. Having said that, the report recommended a number of actions to be taken by Waterways Ireland. The Department subsequently monitored progress on agreed actions. All the agreed actions have now been delivered upon by the CEO to the satisfaction of the two Departments, which are satisfied that this brings the matter to a close.

Obviously, any person not satisfied with the process to date is entitled to pursue further processes. I recognise that anybody with a grievance can ultimately go through the courts to vindicate his or her rights. We have followed a very good process in this case. This is not the first time this issue has been raised. We have provided as much information as possible, recognising people's rights to privacy.

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