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...

“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...

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."

belfastlive.co.uk

“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...

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.

m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

"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.

“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/...

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

civilserviceworld.com

"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 👇

"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...

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

scotsman.com

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.

“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/...

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

civilserviceworld.com

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.

FDA Union@fdaunion.bsky.social · 2y ago

“Let's not use civil servants as scapegoats” @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social told BBC Radio Ulster that “putting the blame” for government overspend at the foot of civil servants rather than ministers “who haven't been in place for 5 of the last 8 years” fails to tackle the root cause of the problem.

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 🇾🇪

Interested in using a tool to think about the health of your union? Why not try @unions21.org maturity model? This is not a precise measure but designed to help you empower your union to be stronger, more adaptable, and ready for the future.. Check it out ⬇️ unions21.org/ideas/how-fi...

How fit is your union for the future?

unions21.org

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

Becky Wright@beckyunions21.bsky.social · 2y ago

Last day in Dublin for the @unions21.org’s Future Leaders programme. A colleague rang me this week and said ‘2 weeks of teaching, are you mad?!’ Yes I’m out of the day to day (big thanks to all the team for keeping the show on the road!) but when you get groups like we’ve got, it’s amazing!

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.

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

Transforming your union communications

unions21.org

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.

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.

Sam McBride@sjamcbride.bsky.social · 2y ago

After @beltel.bsky.social last year exposured alarming levels of civil service temporary promotions wide open to abuse, officials said they'd cut them . Instead, they've increased. Now 11% of all Northern Ireland's civil servants haven't been properly appointed.

Cavehill, Belfast 💚

Ive had a few union people follow me since I opened this account, if you are interested check out this fantastic blog by @robyeldham.bsky.social on the importance of comms and some provoking questions for union leaders on valuing comms unions21.org/ideas/transf...

Transforming your union communications

unions21.org

Please add to the list for politicians, journalists and other public figures in NI who are making the big move to bluesky! go.bsky.app/JgT6Wmh

Please send follower recommendations so I can build up my timeline with good and interesting content!