Senior civil servants’ union urges political accountability for RHI scandal

However, Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA – formerly The Association of First Division Civil Servants – pointedly said that civil servants wanted to see Stormont ministers and political parties also assess how they will decide on the accountability of political figures, and let the public see their decisions.

As Sir Patrick Coghlin’s enormous 656-page report continued to be digested over the weekend after its publication on Friday afternoon, several sources who have followed the inquiry evidence closely – two of whom gave evidence to the inquiry – privately expressed surprise to the News Letter at how muted most of the inquiry’s criticisms of individuals had been.

Some of the most pointed criticisms within Sir Patrick Coghlin’s report are of civil servants and the civil service as an institution.

Mr Penman, who is based in London but had flown into Northern Ireland last week to be present for the publication of the report, had said prior to its release that most of his members in Northern Ireland accept that while it would be a difficult day for some of them, it is necessary. Last week he told the News Letter that there was “a general hope among civil servants that this leads to better government for Northern Ireland – even if that is difficult and uncomfortable”.

Speaking in response to Friday’s report, Mr Penman acknowledged that it “makes uncomfortable reading for ministers, the civil service, special advisors and the Assembly”.

He said: “As the report makes clear, there was an ambition in the civil service to be seen as supporting the new government structures and a ‘culture of delivery’ emerged, which did not encourage questioning when problems arose.

“Understanding how problems arose, and recommending remedies for the future, inevitably leads to a question of accountability. Civil servants, like all public officials, expect to be held accountable for their actions.”

On Friday, Finance Minister Conor Murphy – who will address the Assembly today on the issue – said that he would be creating “an external independent panel to identify any potential misconduct by civil servants”.

Mr Penman said: “We welcome the proposal for an independent panel, separate from the inquiry and Northern Ireland Civil Service which will assess the report and consider whether individual civil servants should be subject to disciplinary action. This panel will have the opportunity to consider the full report and context in which civil servants were operating.

“Our hope is that ministers and the political parties similarly consider how they will assess the accountability of individuals for their role in the scheme and make those considerations public.”