NI Water Probe Pair Named

The Stormont First Minister and Deputy First Minister have appointed two people in relation to the investigation into the handling by NI Water of the recent major interruption of water supplies.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness revealed that Philip Holder and Heather Moorhead will consider the broader governance issues, including the role and responsibilities of the Minister for Regional Development and his Department, in relation to the matter.

They will also consider the recommendations of the Utility Regulator who is examining the role of NI Water in the incident.

Philip Holder has spent much of his career in the utilities and related services sectors, including 25 years at East Surrey Holdings (ESH), latterly as Managing Director with responsibility for its water and gas divisions.

He is also a Non-Executive Chairman of Fulcrum Utility Services - ulcrum is an AIM listed company which deals with connections to gas networks throughout GB and a Non-Executive Director and Committee Member of Compania Logistica de Hidrocarburos in Madrid, Spain. Mr Holder is also a Non-Executive Chairman of Forefront Utilities - that provides main laying and all associated services to National Grid and all other gas infrastructure companies.

Heather Moorhead is a graduate of the University of Ulster and has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association) from 2002-2010.

Her professional background is in corporate governance and management within the public sector.

Last week, the NI Executive agreed the Terms of Reference for an investigation into NI Water's handling of the recent major interruption to water supplies.

A statement said that the first part of the report would be by the Utility Regulator into the NI Water incident in line with the Regulator's statutory responsibilities.

The second part of the investigation would be produced by these two individuals now appointed to consider the broader governance issues, including the role and responsibilities of the Minister for Regional Development and his Department in relation to this incident.

See: Two Part Water Fiasco Probe Announced

(BMcC/GK)