Press Release

Mayor rejects Minister’s response on e-HR contract

01st November 2005

Mayor Cllr Lynn Fleming has described the response received from Lord Rooker in relation to the e-HR Procurement decision as limited and not very helpful. Derry City Council has issued an immediate response seeking further clarification on a number of matters that remain unanswered. Mayor Cllr Lynn Fleming said:

“Civic and Business leaders demand to know the facts and will continue to scrutinise each stage of the decision process to ensure the principles of equity and regional balance are fully considered. The Ministerial response fails to address the questions which the community has raised and which have led to this Belfast centric decision on the preferred bidder status for the e-HR contract.

“It does clarify that neither balanced regional development or deprivation indicators were taken into account in the procurement decision. This is a position that will raise more questions than answers and will create further consternations among civic and business leaders.

“It is unlikely that members of the community will be convinced by the Minister’s response that this decision is not tainted with an air of irrationality, unfairness or procedural impropriety”.

Derry City Council remains determined to challenge this decision by legal action if necessary.

Notes to Editor

A full copy of the Minister’s response and the subsequent reply to the Permanent Secretary, John Hunter, is available on request.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page