Menu
20/02/2008
DUP Not Disclosing 'Family' Staffing
The DUP has been left behind as the sole NI party not to have revealed which of its members have family members employed in backroom posts.
Details emerged from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) - where it has been revealed that seven UUP members are currently employing family members - and paying them from the public purse.
The remaining 11 members have no relatives on their staff - according to the announcement by the party.
Present rules state that members are permitted to hire family members into their staff.
However, pressure for more transparency is mounting - on the DUP in particular - to make details available about any relatives in their employment.
The matter is particlarly highlighted as Ian Paisley Jnr has just resigned from his office of NI Executive Junior Minister in the midst of a volley of criticisms, including that surrounding the way he is being employed by his MP father as a political aid in Westminster.
This means the DUP MLA and Junior Minister has been receiving a third wage - also funded by the taxpayer.
This week Sir Reg Empey addressed the matter in a letter to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown: “There are a range of matters which I believe are bringing politics into disrepute. These include the employment of family members in unjustifiable circumstances.
"Multiple mandates and responsibility allowances - these are rife in Northern Ireland but may not be such a problem in the rest of the UK,” he wrote.
Mr Empeys remarks mirror those of former Parliamentary Commissioner for standards Sir Alistair Graham who, speaking out on Tuesday, said Ian Paisley Jnr’s resignation was a good chance to address the issue of ministerial code reform, and that it was essential to create a system where all potential conflicts of interest were removed.
See: P45 For Paisley Junior
(DW)
Details emerged from the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) - where it has been revealed that seven UUP members are currently employing family members - and paying them from the public purse.
The remaining 11 members have no relatives on their staff - according to the announcement by the party.
Present rules state that members are permitted to hire family members into their staff.
However, pressure for more transparency is mounting - on the DUP in particular - to make details available about any relatives in their employment.
The matter is particlarly highlighted as Ian Paisley Jnr has just resigned from his office of NI Executive Junior Minister in the midst of a volley of criticisms, including that surrounding the way he is being employed by his MP father as a political aid in Westminster.
This means the DUP MLA and Junior Minister has been receiving a third wage - also funded by the taxpayer.
This week Sir Reg Empey addressed the matter in a letter to the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown: “There are a range of matters which I believe are bringing politics into disrepute. These include the employment of family members in unjustifiable circumstances.
"Multiple mandates and responsibility allowances - these are rife in Northern Ireland but may not be such a problem in the rest of the UK,” he wrote.
Mr Empeys remarks mirror those of former Parliamentary Commissioner for standards Sir Alistair Graham who, speaking out on Tuesday, said Ian Paisley Jnr’s resignation was a good chance to address the issue of ministerial code reform, and that it was essential to create a system where all potential conflicts of interest were removed.
See: P45 For Paisley Junior
(DW)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 February 2004
Irish Ferries lay off staff from three laid up vessels
Irish Ferries have confirmed this morning that 450 crew members employed on the three ferries withdrawn from service on Tuesday February 24 have been laid off.
Irish Ferries lay off staff from three laid up vessels
Irish Ferries have confirmed this morning that 450 crew members employed on the three ferries withdrawn from service on Tuesday February 24 have been laid off.
12 December 2006
Jobs to be axed at computer firm
A County Antrim computer firm has announced that 32 jobs are to be cut. The US owned Sanmina SCI plant in Lisburn, which makes computer cabinets and blood analysis machines for a Cork firm, today revealed that 32 staff members would be laid off – in addition to the 60 jobs that were previously announced to be axed at the beginning of the month.
Jobs to be axed at computer firm
A County Antrim computer firm has announced that 32 jobs are to be cut. The US owned Sanmina SCI plant in Lisburn, which makes computer cabinets and blood analysis machines for a Cork firm, today revealed that 32 staff members would be laid off – in addition to the 60 jobs that were previously announced to be axed at the beginning of the month.
25 May 2006
Further Education Colleges hit by strike action
Further education colleges across Northern Ireland have today been hit by strikes as lecturers take industrial action over a pay dispute. The college professors are striking in a bid to have their wages raised to the same level as schoolteachers, arguing that teachers are paid around £2,500 more per year.
Further Education Colleges hit by strike action
Further education colleges across Northern Ireland have today been hit by strikes as lecturers take industrial action over a pay dispute. The college professors are striking in a bid to have their wages raised to the same level as schoolteachers, arguing that teachers are paid around £2,500 more per year.
07 August 2013
NI Secretary Asked To Support 'Terrorist' Memorial Bill
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA has called on the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to support a Private Members Bill that would prohibit the naming of publicly funded property after "terrorists".
NI Secretary Asked To Support 'Terrorist' Memorial Bill
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA has called on the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to support a Private Members Bill that would prohibit the naming of publicly funded property after "terrorists".
19 November 2012
Fire Breaks Out At Hotel In Co Fermanagh
A fire has caused severe damage at a five-star hotel resort in County Fermanagh. It broke out at around 7am on Monday morning. Approximately 25 Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service crew members brought the fire under control in the Lough Erne resort. No one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
Fire Breaks Out At Hotel In Co Fermanagh
A fire has caused severe damage at a five-star hotel resort in County Fermanagh. It broke out at around 7am on Monday morning. Approximately 25 Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service crew members brought the fire under control in the Lough Erne resort. No one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
