Sam McBride
[Issued electronically] / Official’s address
NISRA Information Manager
McAuley House
2-14 Castle Street
Belfast
BT1 1SA
Telephone: / 02890 348140
Email: /
Your reference:
Our reference: / DFP/2012-0264
Date: 8 June 2012
Dear Mr McBride
Freedom of Information Act 2000

You wrote on 30 April 2012 requesting information with regards to the following:

In 2010 an investigation was conducted into the activities of theHead of the DARD CIS Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, by Deloitte consultants asinstructed by the DARD PS Mr Gerry Lavery. The findings of thisinvestigation showed there was elements of corruption, malpracticeand mis/malfeasance in the workings of Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and thisunit on the instructions of Mr xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

  1. Can you confirm if NISRA uses any of the DARD CIS resources?
  2. If so, can you confirm the legal basis enabling DARD CIS toconduct business on behalf of NISRA and the annual cost of thisservice for the last financial year?
  3. If NISRA do use this DARD service can you clarify if you havetaken any action to review any agreement with DARD CIS in light of the investigation findings of the Deloitte investigation in 2010?And the subsequent findings and action taken as a result of anyreview.

I am writing to confirm that NISRA has now completed its search for the information.In response to the questions asked above, NISRA’s full responseis as follows:

  1. Yes
  2. NISRA uses the services of CIS under an SLA between DFP and CIS and there was no cost for the last financial year
  3. No action taken

If you feel that the information we have provided does not fully meet your request please contact us at 02890 348140 in the first instance. You have the right to request a formal review by the Department within two calendar months of the date of this letter. If you wish to do so, please write to DFP Information Management Unit, Ist Floor, ISUBuilding, Rosepark, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3NR.

If after such an internal review you are still unhappy with the response, you have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, CHESHIRE SK9 5AF, who will undertake an independent review. The Information Commissioner’s leaflet, 'Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations - When and how to complain' provides further advice on making a complaint.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Yours sincerely

Gerry McGrath

NISRA Information Manager