Anonymous allegation against council officer
The Minister said an anonymous complaint about a council officer had been referred confidentially to the manager, who found the allegation baseless, and promised to address Molloy’s concern about discrimination against the contractor. The remaining questions were deferred to the next day.
asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department acted on an anonymous letter to instigate an investigation against an officer (details supplied) of Tipperary North Riding County Council in connection with alleged association with a group water supply scheme contractor (details supplied); and if so, if it has since been established whether there was any truth in the anonymous allegation.
Comment on this
It is the normal practice of my Department to transmit any complaints which may be received concerning officers of local authorities to the manager of the local authority concerned on a confidential basis. It is then a matter for the manager, in the first instance, to consider what action, if any, should be taken. A recent anonymous complaint against an officer of the local authority mentioned by the Deputy was dealt with in this way. The manager subsequently informed my Department that he was satisfied that the allegation implied in the complaint was without foundation. I should add that the name of the person contained in the anonymous complaint differed slightly from that supplied by the Deputy.
Comment on this
In view of the Minister's confirmation of the allegation will he ensure that there will not be further discrimination against the individual contractor who has suffered very seriously? Will the Minister interest himself immediately in the matter.
