Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister accept that we have had nothing but controversy since Waterways Ireland was set up? First, we had a case of alleged harassment and bullying, an allegation that was upheld and settled and for which the taxpayer had to pay an individual a substantial amount of money. My colleague, Deputy Dinny McGinley, raised that issue in the Dáil and was provided with information the Minister subsequently had to come back and correct. The Department did not learn from that mistake.

Last week we heard of a case taken to the Equality Commission by an individual who did not get the opportunity to apply for a job because the job was not advertised or filled by open competition. This case too was upheld and the person was found to be justified in the complaint. Does the Minister accept that in the past we might have got away with that kind of procedure in the South? One thing we can say for the Unionists and the North is they have standards. We have been found out in this regard.

Did the Minister have any involvement in the process in question? Did he get a report from Waterways Ireland? Is he happy — although two cases were successfully brought to commissions and one case is currently going through the High Court — the procedures in place are working?

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