Review ordered at Waterways Ireland after bullying probe

An independent review has been ordered at cross-border body Waterways Ireland following a major investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment against its chief executive.

The investigation began in November 2003 after the then director of corporate services Brian McTaggart claimed he had been victimised by his boss John Martin.

The report found that while there was substance to some of the allegations, the events were not as serious as Mr McTaggart had claimed.

It also found that the difficulties created could have been minimised if Mr McTaggart had aired his grievances to Mr Martin at an earlier stage.

It concluded there was insufficient evidence to substantiate his claims of a culture of patronage, bullying secrecy and a dictatorial style of management within Waterways Ireland.

However it recommended an independent review of the practices and policies relating to bullying in the organisation.

A further 20 employees have also made allegations of bullying and harassment within Waterways Ireland, but their complaints fell outside the terms of the investigation.

The members of staff submitted a collective written complaint to the Government’s Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland in the spring 2004.

Both departments ruled this complaint could not be dealt with until the investigation into Mr McTaggart’s allegations were completed.

They have decided it will be investigated internally under the bullying and harassment procedures of Waterways Ireland.

Mr McTaggart had also made allegations about questionable recruitment and promotion policies within the organisation.

While the investigators dismissed five of his complaints regarding recruitment of senior management, they expressed concern regarding the appointment of the Director of Marketing and Communications.

They found the decision not to hold an open competition for the post was open to serious question and contrary to best practices in the public sector.

Similar concerns were expressed in the appointment of the Head of Marketing Adminstration.

However, the investigators acknowledged there was no criticism of the people appointed to the posts, nor was it suggested that they were unsuitable.

Mr Martin, a former senior official at the Government’s Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, was appointed chief executive of Waterways Ireland in January 2001.

The organisation was set up in December 1999 as one of the six North-South implementation bodies proposed under the Good Friday Agreement.

Based in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, its functions include the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waters.