Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy has dismissed the Chairman and a number of non-executive Directors of the Board of NI Water (NIW).

In making the announcement, the Minister said: "I have today, in light of the findings of the recently completed Review of Procurement Governance in NIW, dismissed the Chairman of NIW, Chris Mellor, and a number of his non-executive Board colleagues. I have taken this step after a great deal of consideration of all the evidence.

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"The findings of the report stated that there had been a serious breakdown in the governance and control framework of NIW in relation to contract approvals, and stated that this was a serious matter for those responsible, namely the NIW Board and Executives responsible for ensuring compliance."

Mr Murphy continued: "I intend to take firm action to fully address the recommendations within the report, and have asked the NIW Chief Executive to work alongside my department in putting in place an action plan to do this.

"I have taken this step in order to provide a firm basis for the company to establish new governance arrangements, and to move forward with the confidence of the community."

The other three board members who have been dismissed are Ruth Thompson, Declan Gormley and John Ballard.

(NS/BMcC)