Menu
25/02/2011
Ex-NI Water Offices Lie Vacant As Fees Mount
Northern Ireland Water has paid out more than £3m in legal fees since 2007.
It has also just emerged that a prestigious office block on the edge of Belfast city centre that was previously NI Water's home has been left vacant for the last five months.
Asked about the substantial, modern building on Frederick Street, a spokeswoman said: "The last remaining staff moved out of this building on 30th September last year."
The publicly owned organisation - that is controlled by the Department for Regional Development - has relocated to Westland House, on Old Westland Road, in north Belfast.
The spokeswoman continued: "NI Water rented this building from the Department of Finance and Personnel and we ended our lease in September 2010."
A Department of Finance and Personnel spokeswoman wasn't immediately able to say how much the maintenance and upkeep of the now empty office block off York Street is costing or what the property is to be used for in the future.
Meanwhile, today's fresh Press coverage on legal fees follows a recent NI Consumer Council report into the water crisis that left tens of thousands of homes without supplies.
Earlier this month, the Council's Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown, said: "NI Water's failings were on a monumental scale throughout Christmas and the New Year - many consumers lost a precious holiday with family and friends."
The Government-owned company is now facing further criticism and has been forced to defend its legal fees - insisting that they reflect the varied and complex nature of the operations it undertakes.
The figures were revealed in answer to an Assembly question from the SDLP MLA, John Dallat.
The legal bill at Northern Ireland Water is close to £1m in this current financial year and were close to half a million pounds in 2007/8, more than twice that the following year, and around £800,000 last year. When this year's figures are included, the total is around £3.3m.
The Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy announced in January that the investigation into the New Year crisis had been widened with the utility regulator set to investigate NI Water's performance.
The probe related to NI Water's handling of the recent major interruption to water supplies with 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
(GK)
It has also just emerged that a prestigious office block on the edge of Belfast city centre that was previously NI Water's home has been left vacant for the last five months.
Asked about the substantial, modern building on Frederick Street, a spokeswoman said: "The last remaining staff moved out of this building on 30th September last year."
The publicly owned organisation - that is controlled by the Department for Regional Development - has relocated to Westland House, on Old Westland Road, in north Belfast.
The spokeswoman continued: "NI Water rented this building from the Department of Finance and Personnel and we ended our lease in September 2010."
A Department of Finance and Personnel spokeswoman wasn't immediately able to say how much the maintenance and upkeep of the now empty office block off York Street is costing or what the property is to be used for in the future.
Meanwhile, today's fresh Press coverage on legal fees follows a recent NI Consumer Council report into the water crisis that left tens of thousands of homes without supplies.
Earlier this month, the Council's Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown, said: "NI Water's failings were on a monumental scale throughout Christmas and the New Year - many consumers lost a precious holiday with family and friends."
The Government-owned company is now facing further criticism and has been forced to defend its legal fees - insisting that they reflect the varied and complex nature of the operations it undertakes.
The figures were revealed in answer to an Assembly question from the SDLP MLA, John Dallat.
The legal bill at Northern Ireland Water is close to £1m in this current financial year and were close to half a million pounds in 2007/8, more than twice that the following year, and around £800,000 last year. When this year's figures are included, the total is around £3.3m.
The Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy announced in January that the investigation into the New Year crisis had been widened with the utility regulator set to investigate NI Water's performance.
The probe related to NI Water's handling of the recent major interruption to water supplies with 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
(GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 October 2023
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
12 August 2022
People Urged To Be Aware Of Water Usage Amid Heatwave
NI Water has urged people to be aware of their water usage as NI prepares to experience a 'meteorological heatwave, with temperatures expected to be in excess of 27°C over the weekend.
People Urged To Be Aware Of Water Usage Amid Heatwave
NI Water has urged people to be aware of their water usage as NI prepares to experience a 'meteorological heatwave, with temperatures expected to be in excess of 27°C over the weekend.
15 September 2023
NI Water 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal'
Water supplied from all NI Water's Water Treatment Works, including water abstracted from Lough Neagh, is safe to drink and use as normal. The utility provider has responded to calls from the DUP to clarify the safety of NI's drinking water.
NI Water 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal'
Water supplied from all NI Water's Water Treatment Works, including water abstracted from Lough Neagh, is safe to drink and use as normal. The utility provider has responded to calls from the DUP to clarify the safety of NI's drinking water.
11 July 2022
Households Urged To 'Get Water Smart'
NI Water has called on households to 'get water smart', highlighting that with schools out for summer and temperatures set to rise there is no better time to learn about the simple things we can all do to help save water. It is easy to begin reducing your water usage; just start by thinking how much water you are using each day.
Households Urged To 'Get Water Smart'
NI Water has called on households to 'get water smart', highlighting that with schools out for summer and temperatures set to rise there is no better time to learn about the simple things we can all do to help save water. It is easy to begin reducing your water usage; just start by thinking how much water you are using each day.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
