Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Forensic Audit

Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Ms Liz Kimmins
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Northern Ireland Water: Forensic Audit
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5739698

Text

In my initial answer, I said that several raising a concern investigations have been carried out to date. That is on the public record. The concerns that I mentioned have intensified recently owing to insufficient assurance, coupled with the raising a concern investigations; legacy and current breaches of a "Dear Accounting Officer" letter about the use of confidentiality agreements; procurement and contract management practices; and observations by the departmental representative on the NI Water board. As I said, I also wish to receive an assurance on NI Water's compliance with 'Managing Public Money NI' and on whether key decision makers have clear sight of information in order to support effective decision-making. That is probably as much as I can say until the audit is complete, but it is my intention to be as transparent as possible in order to ensure that the Assembly is kept updated on what comes out of it.

152 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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