Not in the public interest.. again..

In today’s Observer, Henry McDonald reports that the NI Department of Culture, Arts and Learning has blocked a freedom of information request to publish an internal report into allegations of bullying and mismanagement at Waterways Ireland, “the largest and most expensive cross-border body established under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.” – Mick noted the allegations previously. According to the Observer, documents they received claim that disclosing the report “would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between the United Kingdom and any other state.”From the Observer report –

The Department of Culture, Arts and Learning (DCAL) in Northern Ireland has blocked a freedom of information request into a major report over claims of bullying and mismanagement at Waterways Ireland, the largest and most expensive cross-border body established under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Twenty-one complaints have been filed by staff regarding bullying at the institution. One case of bullying of a senior manager has already been proven.

The department told the UK’s Information Commissioner that the greater public interest is served by not releasing the full report into that case and the complaints of 20 middle-line managers. One manager who alleges victimisation over his decision to ‘blow the whistle’ about an alleged culture of bullying and ‘jobs for the boys’ inside Waterways Ireland has appealed to the Information Commissioner to have the decision overturned.

Pete Baker