Ulster Unionist Party leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has stated that the failure of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to appoint a new Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) is disquieting and exposes the inadequacies of the current system.
Mr Aiken said:
“The failure to select a new head of the Northern Ireland Civil service is, to say the least, disquieting. There has been a 10-month lead-in to this point and the failure of this appointment process, coupled with the late advertisement of the role, raises serious concerns.
“However in light of the RHI inquiry revelations and conclusions indicating that there must be substantial changes within the culture of the NICS, and that all parties who had been involved in the New Decade New Approach discussions believed were essential, it is also remarkable that the majority of candidates who were shortlisted came from the very service that needs reforming.
“The role of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, who have the final choice on what should be an apolitical appointment selection process, is pivotal in this. It is their personal responsibility to select the Head of the Civil Service and they are both accountable and responsible for this process. That they have failed in one of the most important recruitment processes within government at the height of a global pandemic, when resolute and effective leadership is needed at the centre of government, demonstrates again the collective inadequacies of the current system.”