Housing Executive out of control according to Stormont’s PAC…

This is interesting, not least in the light of the Red Sky controversy and the DUP Minister’s subsequent decision to stripe the Housing Executive of its powers…

It found that there was a culture within the Housing Executive that discouraged staff from raising concerns, including the use of IT to attempt to identify an anonymous whistle-blower.

Ms Boyle said: “The practices we found give the impression that staff who raise concerns in the course of their work or in a whistle-blowing capacity will not be supported or protected.

“I want to put this on the record – discouraging whistle-blowing or creating the perception that whistle-blowers are not welcome is simply unacceptable.”

Last year’s audit came after the Housing Executive’s contract with the Red Sky maintenance company was terminated in 2011.

This followed claims of substandard work and financial irregularities.

Mick Fealty

Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty