02/11/2012
Poots Promises Fire Service Investigations
Edwin Poots has said allegations into the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) will be "investigated rigorously and proportionately".
The Health Minister made the comments in a prepared statement delivered to the Assembly regarding recent irregularities at NIFRS.
He said: "I want to assure the Assembly that where appropriate, all material allegations and any others that may come to light over the weeks and months ahead will be investigated rigorously and proportionately, to ensure that our commitment to restoring full public confidence in NIFRS is fulfilled."
Over the past month, numerous irregularities have been reported at the Service, including allegations of unapproved bonus payments to senior officers without approval from the Department of Health.
The Minister said: "Following my Statement on 16 October, a number of further allegations have been sent to me about potential fraud, theft or other irregularities in NIFRS, some recent and some dating back over many years. I understand that other MLAs may also have received some such allegations. Some of these have already received media coverage.
"I am tasking the Departmental Accounting Officer with the responsibility of ensuring a satisfactory and independent investigation of the material specific allegations that have been made. I am also looking to the NIFRS leadership team of Board Chair, Interim Chief Executive and Interim CFO to ensure that proper and effective control systems are in place in relation to the basics of the management of finance, HR, procurement, stock and equipment, and that these systems are operating effectively."
He added: "It is appropriate and important that where anyone has information about abuse of public money or the assets or equipment of NIFRS as a public body, this is brought to light so that the specific issues can be resolved, appropriate lessons learned, and public confidence restored. Where wrongdoing has occurred it must be addressed, with a proportionate and appropriate response."
(IT)
The Health Minister made the comments in a prepared statement delivered to the Assembly regarding recent irregularities at NIFRS.
He said: "I want to assure the Assembly that where appropriate, all material allegations and any others that may come to light over the weeks and months ahead will be investigated rigorously and proportionately, to ensure that our commitment to restoring full public confidence in NIFRS is fulfilled."
Over the past month, numerous irregularities have been reported at the Service, including allegations of unapproved bonus payments to senior officers without approval from the Department of Health.
The Minister said: "Following my Statement on 16 October, a number of further allegations have been sent to me about potential fraud, theft or other irregularities in NIFRS, some recent and some dating back over many years. I understand that other MLAs may also have received some such allegations. Some of these have already received media coverage.
"I am tasking the Departmental Accounting Officer with the responsibility of ensuring a satisfactory and independent investigation of the material specific allegations that have been made. I am also looking to the NIFRS leadership team of Board Chair, Interim Chief Executive and Interim CFO to ensure that proper and effective control systems are in place in relation to the basics of the management of finance, HR, procurement, stock and equipment, and that these systems are operating effectively."
He added: "It is appropriate and important that where anyone has information about abuse of public money or the assets or equipment of NIFRS as a public body, this is brought to light so that the specific issues can be resolved, appropriate lessons learned, and public confidence restored. Where wrongdoing has occurred it must be addressed, with a proportionate and appropriate response."
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 October 2024
Emergency Services Praised For Response To Bus Crash
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has commended the swift and effective response of emergency services and hospital staff following a major bus accident in County Down today.
Emergency Services Praised For Response To Bus Crash
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has commended the swift and effective response of emergency services and hospital staff following a major bus accident in County Down today.
12 March 2012
Abuse Survivors Meet Cardinal Sean Brady
The Northern Ireland Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse group (Savia) are meeting Catholic primate Cardinal Sean Brady. They are seeking guarantees of his total co-operation with the forthcoming abuse inquiry in Northern Ireland. It is the first time that Cardinal Sean Brady has met the group of survivors.
Abuse Survivors Meet Cardinal Sean Brady
The Northern Ireland Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse group (Savia) are meeting Catholic primate Cardinal Sean Brady. They are seeking guarantees of his total co-operation with the forthcoming abuse inquiry in Northern Ireland. It is the first time that Cardinal Sean Brady has met the group of survivors.
09 August 2010
Taoiseach Tells Callely 'Consider Position'
The Irish premier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen (pictured) has called on Senator Ivor Callely to "consider his position" over the ongoing expenses scandal he has become embroiled in.
Taoiseach Tells Callely 'Consider Position'
The Irish premier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen (pictured) has called on Senator Ivor Callely to "consider his position" over the ongoing expenses scandal he has become embroiled in.
20 June 2025
First Firefighters Graduate From State-Of-The-Art College
Today marks a pivotal moment for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) as its inaugural cohort of 41 new Wholetime (Full-Time) Firefighters graduated from the recently opened Learning & Development College. Among the graduates were ten female firefighters, signalling a positive step in diversity for the service.
First Firefighters Graduate From State-Of-The-Art College
Today marks a pivotal moment for the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) as its inaugural cohort of 41 new Wholetime (Full-Time) Firefighters graduated from the recently opened Learning & Development College. Among the graduates were ten female firefighters, signalling a positive step in diversity for the service.
03 January 2025
NIFRS Urges Public To Take Precautions Against House Fires
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is urging households to take precautions to prevent accidental fires in the home. During the winter period last year, NIFRS attended 189 accidental house fires. Cooking and electricity supply were the biggest causes. If a fire starts in the home, NIFRS advises against attempting to tackle it.
NIFRS Urges Public To Take Precautions Against House Fires
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is urging households to take precautions to prevent accidental fires in the home. During the winter period last year, NIFRS attended 189 accidental house fires. Cooking and electricity supply were the biggest causes. If a fire starts in the home, NIFRS advises against attempting to tackle it.
-
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.