SIPTU to demote official at centre of training fund controversy

SIPTU has decided to demote its senior official who was a signatory to the account at the centre of the controversial HSE SKILL training fund.

Matt Merrigan was one of two union signatories to the SIPTU National Health and Local Authority Levy Fund into which the state and private sources placed almost €4.5 million between 2001 and 2010.

Serious issues emerged in recent months surrounding the account, not least regarding large sums that were used to pay for 31 foreign trips for trade union leaders and senior civil and public service staff.