Inland Fisheries Ireland governance
Senator Kyne called again for a debate on fishing-sector issues and Inland Fisheries Ireland, criticising the lack of a board and unanswered investigations. The Chair cautioned him about naming an individual, and he continued on the need for equal rules on suspension and accountability.
I call again for a debate on matters pertaining to the fishing sector and Inland Fisheries Ireland. As we approach the end of the year, there is still no board appointed in place of the section 18 appointees that were appointed by the Minister early in the year. We still have these individuals running the affairs of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
We still have no results from the two investigations, at least, which are taking place by McCann Fitzgerald LLP solicitors and by Inland Fisheries Ireland itself pertaining to matters which I have raised in this House and other Members have raised in the other House with regard to protected disclosures, and matters which were not deemed to be protected disclosures but were being looked at under protected disclosures legislation.
We have investigations into the chief executive officer who continues in his role, has not been suspended pending these investigations yet people lower down the food chain were suspended when allegations, indeed anonymous allegations, were made. These allegations were treated very quickly and the people were suspended, whereas investigations of more senior people continue and the CEO continues in role.
Comment on this
I remind the Senator to bí cúramach as the individual is not here to defend himself.
Comment on this
I know that, gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. There is clearly one rule for senior people and a more severe rule for people lower down the food chain. That is just unfair and I have raised this point on countless occasions. Irrespective of what role, what State agency, what Department or what job one does, one should have the same rules. If one is under investigation, one should be suspended and if that is the rule for the junior person, that should be the rule for the senior person. That is not the case with Inland Fisheries Ireland and one assumes and asks if that would be the same in any other State agency or Government Department. It is clearly not right or fair and it creates a predetermined judgment on a person by suspending them while an investigation is going on, and then the same thing does not happen when other investigations take place into other people.
On other days, I will raise some of the matters pertaining to the boat which was purchased by the CEO in Galway whom I thank for supporting the Galway economy. The issues pertaining to transport of that boat are under investigation and issues on the uninsured vehicles are still under investigation. I know that the head of human resources, HR, is moving on and I wish her well in her new role. I do not know what the reasons behind that are but certainly one could suggest, and I would indeed suggest, that nobody is appointed within Inland Fisheries Ireland without the imprimatur of the CEO. Why have a head of HR if the CEO is going to do the hiring and, in some cases, the firing also?
These are all very serious issues which are going on and I do not raise them lightly. I know that the Cathaoirleach and the Clerk will be unhappy with my raising of these issues, but, at the same time, there is a public interest in these matters and absolutely nobody is taking it seriously, least of all, the Minister, Deputy Ryan.