Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 198: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the mismanagement alleged in the running of Waterways Ireland arising out of which damages of €75,000 had to be paid to a former corporate services director who was sacked after lodging complaints regarding such alleged irregularities, malpractices and failures in governance of the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22019/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously stated on the record of the House, an independent investigation was undertaken in 2005 into allegations by a senior manager in Waterways Ireland ("the complainant") regarding issues of bullying and harassment and related matters (including allegations concerning some recruitment and promotion practices). My Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland issued a joint statement on 4 April 2005 regarding the findings of the investigators' report, including actions to be taken arising from it. A copy of the joint statement was previously lodged in the Oireachtas Library and I am arranging for a copy to be forwarded separately to the Deputy.

A substantial number of detailed allegations were made and were thoroughly investigated. The clear outcome of the investigation — as set out in the Departments' statement — was that the bulk of the allegations made by the complainant were not upheld. The agreed actions arising from the report of the investigators, including an action to address their sole recommendation in relation to a full independent review of the practices and policies relating to bullying in Waterways Ireland, have been delivered on by the CEO of Waterways Ireland to the satisfaction of the two Departments.

Waterways Ireland has informed me that, contrary to the reference in the Deputy's Question, the complainant was not sacked. I understand from the Body that, subsequent to the investigation, his secondment to Waterways Ireland came to an end and an offer to him of employment as Director of Corporate Services was withdrawn. He then brought a case to the Industrial Tribunal in Northern Ireland alleging that he had suffered loss arising from the complaints he had raised.

I understand that, prior to the case being heard in recent days, the complainant's legal team sought a settlement from Waterways Ireland and that, following negotiations, a figure of £50,000 STG was agreed in full and final settlement of the tribunal case, without any admission of liability. I am informed that Waterways Ireland's Senior Counsel advised that the settlement was cost effective and represented value for money, having regard, inter alia, to the fact that, had the case proceeded, the costs that would have been incurred by Waterways Ireland in defending it (irrespective of the outcome) would have been substantially higher than any likely settlement figure.

I want to take the opportunity once again to place on the record my support for Waterways Ireland's ongoing work of developing and promoting the inland waterways network on this island. I commend Waterways Ireland's CEO and senior management team for its progressive approach to 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 action plan to take the organisation forward.