24/01/2011
Mackenzie Deal Revealed
The former boss of troubled NI Water (NIW) received a total severance package of £97,000, the Stormont Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy has revealed.
He gave details of Laurence Mackenzie's pay-off deal in an answer to an Assembly question.
It includes £91,000 in respect of six months' salary. Mr Mackenzie resigned after the water crisis, which saw 40,000 homes and businesses without supply at its peak. NIW's performance during the crisis is to be investigated by the utility regulator.
The SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson Conall McDevitt has now called on the Sinn Fein Minister Murphy (pictured) to make a statement on whether he considers the £91,000 payout to Lawrence Mackenzie an appropriate severance for someone who resigned in such controversial circumstances.
Having obtained the figures through a written Assembly question, the South Belfast MLA said Mr Murphy needs to clarify why the taxpayer will ultimately foot an additional £6,000 bill, after NIW agreed to pay £3,000 for Mr Mackenzie's legal costs and £3,000 for his tax advisors.
"Following Mr Mackenzie's announcement to resign, the Minister said on several occasions that he would not support any large payout, yet it appears from the figures released to me that Mr Mackenzie got his full contractual entitlement.
"Many who are on a few weeks' or a month's notice will be gobsmacked to hear that Mr Mackenzie got a full six month's salary as he walked out the door.
"£91,000 is a huge sum of money for the vast majority of people. It would pay for quite a few call handlers or engineers at NIW. As it is, this is money down the drain," he fumed.
"The Minister also needs to clarify whether Mr Mackenzie is now free to seek alternative employment or whether he is on 'gardening leave' for the next six months.
"He also needs to clarify why NIW has paid £6,000 for his legal and tax advice," the SDLP MLA said.
See: Murphy On Rack Over Ex-NI Water Boss's Past
He gave details of Laurence Mackenzie's pay-off deal in an answer to an Assembly question.
It includes £91,000 in respect of six months' salary. Mr Mackenzie resigned after the water crisis, which saw 40,000 homes and businesses without supply at its peak. NIW's performance during the crisis is to be investigated by the utility regulator.
The SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson Conall McDevitt has now called on the Sinn Fein Minister Murphy (pictured) to make a statement on whether he considers the £91,000 payout to Lawrence Mackenzie an appropriate severance for someone who resigned in such controversial circumstances.
Having obtained the figures through a written Assembly question, the South Belfast MLA said Mr Murphy needs to clarify why the taxpayer will ultimately foot an additional £6,000 bill, after NIW agreed to pay £3,000 for Mr Mackenzie's legal costs and £3,000 for his tax advisors.
"Following Mr Mackenzie's announcement to resign, the Minister said on several occasions that he would not support any large payout, yet it appears from the figures released to me that Mr Mackenzie got his full contractual entitlement.
"Many who are on a few weeks' or a month's notice will be gobsmacked to hear that Mr Mackenzie got a full six month's salary as he walked out the door.
"£91,000 is a huge sum of money for the vast majority of people. It would pay for quite a few call handlers or engineers at NIW. As it is, this is money down the drain," he fumed.
"The Minister also needs to clarify whether Mr Mackenzie is now free to seek alternative employment or whether he is on 'gardening leave' for the next six months.
"He also needs to clarify why NIW has paid £6,000 for his legal and tax advice," the SDLP MLA said.
See: Murphy On Rack Over Ex-NI Water Boss's Past
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 January 2011
Murphy On Rack Over Ex-NI Water Boss's Past
NI Water, the beleaguered government owned company, is under pressure again today with allegations over its recently resigned boss further muddying the waters.
Murphy On Rack Over Ex-NI Water Boss's Past
NI Water, the beleaguered government owned company, is under pressure again today with allegations over its recently resigned boss further muddying the waters.
05 January 2011
McKenzie 'To Resign' As Murphy Stays Put
As Belfast City Council continued to make small quantities of bottled water available to residents who may still not have been reconnected to their mains supply, speculation mounted over the future of the NI Water boss today - as calls continued for the resignation of the Stormont Minister himself, pictured here.
McKenzie 'To Resign' As Murphy Stays Put
As Belfast City Council continued to make small quantities of bottled water available to residents who may still not have been reconnected to their mains supply, speculation mounted over the future of the NI Water boss today - as calls continued for the resignation of the Stormont Minister himself, pictured here.
21 November 2007
£64m Facelift For Londonderry and Coleraine Rail Line
A £64m scheme to relay the line between Londonderry and Coleraine will commence by 2011.
£64m Facelift For Londonderry and Coleraine Rail Line
A £64m scheme to relay the line between Londonderry and Coleraine will commence by 2011.
03 February 2025
Economy Minister Reflects On First Year In Office
Conor Murphy has welcomed the "significant progress" made over the over the last 12 months in delivering on his economic plan. "When I took office I set out a clear direction with four key priorities: to increase the number of good jobs, to raise productivity, to decarbonise our economy, and to drive forward regional balance," Minister Murphy said.
Economy Minister Reflects On First Year In Office
Conor Murphy has welcomed the "significant progress" made over the over the last 12 months in delivering on his economic plan. "When I took office I set out a clear direction with four key priorities: to increase the number of good jobs, to raise productivity, to decarbonise our economy, and to drive forward regional balance," Minister Murphy said.
05 November 2024
Economy Minister Seeks Clarity On Go Succeed Initiative
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is seeking clarity on the continued support of the Go Succeed service. Go Succeed is the council led business start-up service for the north of Ireland and is majority funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Economy Minister Seeks Clarity On Go Succeed Initiative
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is seeking clarity on the continued support of the Go Succeed service. Go Succeed is the council led business start-up service for the north of Ireland and is majority funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.