A full explanation is required off Northern Ireland Water (NIW) as to their failure to appoint a new Chief Executive.

This is the call of SDLP spokesperson John Dallat who described the news as 'deeply disturbing'.

Mr Dallat said: "NIW has a history of drifting aimlessly in the past and against a background which brought no credit on the organisation or those then at the helm.

"We cannot have a repeat of that and we need to know why thousands of pounds in advertising for a new chief executive didn't attract an individual of the calibre that is required to steer this organisation through a very difficult future when important decisions of management are needed.

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"It is my understanding that there was a good response to the recruitment process and five candidates were short-listed. NIW need to identify what the failings were in their appointments process that has left them with egg on their face and no chief executive.

"We need to know when this process will reach a conclusion which avoids a repeat of the past when senior people in the organisation played loose and brought untold damage and cost to the organisation as well as a great deal of hurt to those affected by their behaviour."

(CD/IT)