Press release from the FDA union: 'FDA response to the Minister for Education’s written ministerial statement'

FDA National Officer for Northern Ireland @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social has responded to the written ministerial statement made by Minister for Education Paul Givan this afternoon:

Responding to calls to cut the public sector workforce by 10%, FDA National Officer for NI @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social says that “the civil service is reflective of the political realities”, and plans to change its shape and size need to be led by a consistent vision for public services in NI.

Responding to the NI Audit Office report on the NICS, @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social tells Stephen Nolan “there's a context as to why the pace of change maybe isn't what people would hope, but the idea that the civil service isn't changing, that is not the case”

Responding to today's NI Audit Office report, FDA National Officer @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social tells @belfastlive.co.uk the report highlights "significant issues", but does not "sufficiently analyse the difficult context within which the NICS is operating".

www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...

Union representing Civil Servants call for clarity over Minister's Israel trip "As it would appear that civil service resources have been used to support this trip, it is vital that there is clarity over whether this was government business or party business."

“The longer this question goes unanswered, the greater the risk that the minister's actions will sow seeds of doubt in the public’s mind over the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded civil service resources." - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social

www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...

There must be consequences for poor conduct at Stormont… but MLAs are allowed to mark their own homework It was announced last week that former Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan has been appointed the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards, for approval by the Assembly.

“For a standards regime to have any real meaning, there must be consequences for poor conduct, otherwise public trust in govt will only continue to erode”

Robert Murtagh in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk on the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards appointment

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...

"It can't just be the Civil Service who takes the blame"

@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social told View From Stormont "we need to look beyond just the Civil Service" for why infrastructure projects are not being completed on time as "five out of the last eight years, we haven't had ministers in place"

It's always good to visit our friends in @ahcps.bsky.social at their annual conference. All the more so to hear @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social in his role as @unions21.org Director for Ireland talk about its work on trade union renewal, helping unions to build capacity & capability.

Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable' Urgent review of NICS Board needed, NI Public Accounts Committee says as £3bn overspend revealed

“This isn’t something the civil service can address on its own – it requires political leadership. When the committee speaks about a need to review leadership, it’s unfair to point the finger solely at civil servants" - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Press release from the FDA union with the header: FDA response to PAC report on Major Capital Projects: Ministers need to take responsibility

"This isn’t something the civil service can address on its own... It is ministers who are elected by the public to deliver on these projects and they need to take responsibility.”

@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social's response to the latest Northern Ireland Assembly's PAC report on Major Capital Projects 👇

Civil servants 'working until midnight' due to 'massive problems' with Scottish court backlogs Concern over workloads and staffing pressures at Crown Office and Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service

"Without sustained further investment, we risk undermining public confidence in Scotland’s justice system and placing intolerable strain on an already overstretched workforce." - FDA National Officer Allan Sampson
www.scotsman.com/news/crime/j...

Join Civil Service Union | The FDA Union

We also discussed the need to look at workload and overloading of posts at SCS level and the need for strategic workforce planning.

The FDA in NI will continue engaging with MLAs to advance our mission to stand up and defend civil servants.

Join FDA👇

www.fda.org.uk/why-you-shou...

Productive afternoon on the hill with @fdaunion.bsky.social NI Convenor Robbie Davis meeting MLAs from across the chamber.

We discussed the challenges facing the civil service and in particular senior civil servants, in light of political instability and a lack of multi-year budgets.

Don't blame civil servants for Northern Ireland overspend, union says Politicians urged not to 'scapegoat' civil servants after MLA blasts 'scale of financial mismanagement' in the NICS

“I think that it is a disservice to look at the root causes of this overspend and not to think about the political instability, the near-permanent crisis that has defined our politics for the last eight years” - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social

www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Civil servants are accountable to ministers, ministers are accountable to the public and taxpayer.

Blaming civil servants for overspend when 5 out of the last 8 years we haven’t had a functioning executive ignores systemic issues.

We need political stability and multi-year budgets.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy new year Sarah!

Union for Civil Servants & Public Sector Professionals | The FDA Trade Union

If you’re a public prosecutor, don’t forget to join FDA - the union for you.

www.fda.org.uk

The network is an opportunity for FDA prosecutor networks to come together to hear about common challenges & how we can work together and learn from each other to confront those challenges for members.

Issues raised around workload, mental health and wellbeing, job progression.

Clear and frosty morning in Edinburgh after a great day yesterday for the @fdaunion.bsky.social prosecutors network, bringing together public prospectors from Scotland, NI, England and Wales.

Great to be joined by FDA reps from Public Prosection Service NI.

Wow 🇾🇪

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And so, I head back to London.

Very grateful for the brilliant group we have here. How kind, generous and fun they’ve been. The Irish movement is in good hands for sure

Great setting in Dublin for @unions21.org future leaders programme at the Communication Workers Union Ireland, overlooking GAA HQ.

Already fascinating discussion with participants on purpose, mission and values.

Transforming your union communications

unions21.org/ideas/transf... #tradeunions #unions #labor

Absolutely lovely day in Dublin with a really great group!

Great to have my first @fdaunion.bsky.social NI section committee yesterday discussing a range of issues affecting our members in the NI civil service & prosecution service.

Also, thank you to NIPSA GS Carmel Gates and DGS Maria Morgan for productive conversation yesterday.

That’s your London elite at play again! Unfortunately no choice but to do this one the hard way!

Temporary promotions are simply a symptom of uncertainty on budgets and priorities.

For stable staffing in the civil service, we need stable government.

As said by FDA general secretary Dave Penman, temporary promotions are simply a symptom of uncertainty on budgets and priorities.

For stable staffing in the civil service, we need stable government.

Cavehill, Belfast 💚