Catherine Murphy Interviews With The Journal.ie On Siteserve Controversy

April 22, 2015

This is a series of video interviews between Catherine Murphy TD and The Journal.ie as part of their article: What exactly is Siteserv – and why is everyone talking about it?. For more in depth information on the Siteserve controversy have a look at Independent TD Catherine Murphy Calls for Full Independent Inquiry Into Sale of Siteserve to Denis O'Brien. Because of recent serious revelations Ms Murphy and other opposition TDs called for an independent inquiry into the Siteserve affair. The Journal article has today revealed that Enda Kenny said the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) will examine whether the Siteserv sale represented value for money for the taxpayer.

The article continued, Murphy said she has no problem with the C&AG looking into the matter and, perhaps, as an offshoot of this, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) getting involved.
However, she said this would only be an appropriate course of action if they have time to do so promptly. Otherwise, she said an independent inquiry is needed.

Catherine Murphy TD holding heavily redacted (blacked out) pages from Siteserve transactions which were passed on to her by Dept of Finance after months of requests.

Video 1: I Wasn;t Getting Answers

A Journal.ie video. Video 1. Catherine Murphy Irish Independent TD who has been investigating and asking question about the IBRC sale in 2012 of Siteserve to Denis O'Brien, one of Ireland's richest people.

Video 2: An Excessive Use of Black Ink

A Journal.ie video. Video1. Catherine Murphy Irish Independent TD who has been investigating and asking questions about the IBRC sale in 2012 of Siteserve to Denis O'Brien, one of Ireland's richest people.

Video 3: The Irish Water Connection

Video 4: The Relationship Framework

Video 5: Timeline of Events

Video by Nicky Ryan and Hugh O'Connell

Buncrana Against Irish Water Press Release Irish Water Insulting Inishowen Community

April 22, 2015

Irish Water working in Ard Ban, Muff, Co Donegal with a logo on their van and without safety barriers.

This is a press release on behalf of Buncrana Against Irish Water. It has been released as a result of the way Irish Water has begun their meter installation in Inishowen, Co Donegal. A spokesperson for the group felt it necessary to inform the public that Irish Water are not giving warnings when they are coming to your area to cut off water supply and install meters. The statement has been sent to local press, Irish Water, An Garda Siochána and local TDs and councillors.

Press Release

Buncrana Against Irish Water is very concerned about the way Irish Water has begun meter installations in Inishowen.

Just like other parts of the country, Irish Water are starting installing meters here without giving prior warning to households. They are installing meters even though residents have notices on their premises stating that they do not want a meter and that they do not have nor want a contract with Irish Water.

Irish Water have clearly stated that they will give household 2 week's notice that they are coming to the area, then 3 days to households where they are going to install meters and then they will call to houses to let people know that work is going to commence.

Irish Water have also clearly stated that they will give these warning in their literature, in the media and also in An Garda Siochána web page. It is part of the protocol for them to to inform An Garda Siochána and the local authority when they are coming to an area. These warnings are normal practice. It is also common decency to give warnings. It is a public order and a health and safety issue.

Irish Water workers in Ard Ban, Muff, Van logo camouflaged

Buncrana Against Irish Water have been informed by people in the Muff/Quigley Point areas that they have not received any warnings whatsoever. How can this be right? Clearly Irish Water are reneging on their promises. It does not help community relations and it is potentially dangerous since it involves turning off water supply. This does not bode well for the future especially when the bigger metering contractors come.

It is a downright insult to people in Inishowen. It is a kick in the teeth. Buncrana Against Irish Water, spent a lot of time and effort liaising with Irish Water and An Garda Siochána in the hope that a compromise might be agreed.

One of the Meters Installed in Ard Ban in Muff, no notice given and no one informed residents

The BAIW demand that Irish Water adhere to their promises and to respect our community. BAIW remind Irish Water that this is a civil matter between them and those who do not want a meter nor a contract. If Irish Water feel that they are justified then they have recourse to the courts as stated in The Water Services Acts.

Buncrana Against Irish Water demand that An Garda Siochána and the local authority oversee Irish Water activities, to protect our rights and health and safety of the community.

Finally BAIW request all our elected representatives to help the residents of Inishowen.

This Statement was sent to all TDs in Inishowen, Councillors, An Garda Siochána and Irish Water. Irish Water replied attaching 2 brochures which householders should receive 2 weeks prior to installation and stating date work commences and safety procedures.

Below are two extracts from Irish Water's Brochures which were attached to their email reply to Buncrana Together.

Irish Water clearly state that these explanatory leaflets will be sent to each household 2 weeks prior to installation. The one below should give date work commences.

Notice they keep referring to 'Your Water Meter' — **Notice they keep referring to 'Your Water Meter**'

Stating clearly 2 weeks notice and then 2 days

Independent TD Catherine Murphy Calls for Full Independent Inquiry Into Sale of Siteserve to Denis O'Brien

April 21, 2015

Catherine Murphy's Relentless Pursuit of Truth Into IBRC, The Government And irish Water

Catherine Murphy Independent TD for Kildare North

Slowly but surely Catherine Murphy's relentless pursuit of the truth into the sale of Siteserv to Denis O'Brien's in 2012 is beginning to show some positive results. Today in the Dail Catherine Murphy and opposition TDs called for an independent inquiry into IBRC transactions, including the 2012 sale of Siteserv to a company controlled by Denis O’Brien. The truth as envisaged by Catherine Murphy could have serious consequences for the coalition government. It also would question the legitimacy of Irish Water Ltd. Mr O'Brien's GMC Sierra, a subsidiary of Siteserv was controversially awarded the contract to install water meters throughout Ireland by Irish Water.

**Siteserv has five subsidiary company’s including: Sierra, DSL, Holgate, (a subsidiary of Sierra) RoanKabin, EventServ and Siteserv Access and Formwork.**

Murky Dealings

The murky dealings have been highlighted in Ms Murphy previous statement in her reply to numerous Parliamentary Questions, when she said

“I’m not surprised by the replies which confirm what I and others have long suspected – that the background to this deal and the eventual awarding of the metering contract is mired in convenient circumstances that all amount to something which leaves a very bad taste in the mouth of most right minded citizens.”

a Little Background

Catherine Murphy, Independent TD for North Kildare, has been asking questions of Finance Minister Michael Noonan in the Dáil about IBRC’s sale of Siteserv to Denis O’Brien. Mr O’Brien bought it for €45.4million cash while Siteserv owed Anglo €150million. The sale involved IBRC writing off €100million of Siteserv’s debt with €5million distributed to Siteserv’s shareholders.
After the sale of Siteserv to Mr O’Brien, GMC Sierra won a State contract to install water meters. GMC Sierra is comprised of GMC Utilities Group and Sierra Support Services Group. Sierra is a subsidiary of Siteserv. For the full story of the deal see this article Siteserve Deal Won't Go Away - Michael Noonan Finance Minister In Deep Water

Hitting a nerve

Ms Murphy's past questions about IBRC and Siteserv have invoked anger and scorn in the past such as from Sean Corkery, CEO Sitserve when he said:

“I’m getting a little bit fed up of the constant questioning from Catherine Murphy in the sense that it’s the same questions and I think she knows what the answer is, which is that everything was completely above board. I’m trying to run a company. I’m the CEO and when statements are made that are untrue they affect customers, suppliers and employees,” he said." Irish Times

Denis O'Brien Irish billionaire, net worth £3.854 billion (2014)

Freedom of Information Documents Redacted

As a result of the constant questioning by Catherine Murphy received documents from the Dept Of Finance today as a result of freedom of information requests.

The documents were redacted, a lot of relevant information was blacked out, as can be seen in the video below.
This seems highly suspicious and it will not do anything to reduce public scepticism in the Government and in particular Mr Noonan, Minister of Finance.

In a later statement to Newstalk, IBRC chairman at the time of the sale Alan Dukes, Fine Gael, said "I categorically reject suggestions that there was any impropriety in the sale of Siteserv by IBRC in March 2012. All aspects of the sale were considered in detail by the board of the bank and the decision made was considered to be the best course of action available, in the interests of the shareholder and of the State,"

Information contradicts Minister of Finance

However, what information the files do show, Ms Murphy said contradict responses to Parliamentary Questions she received from Mr Noonan. In the files senior officials express reservations about a number of 'poorly executed' large transactions made by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, including the sale of Siteserv to Millington owned by Denis O'Brien.

SiteServ Deal

One of the documents state "SiteServ is the subject of a separate memo but to summarise we are concerned with the quality of some of the decisions taken in respect of this transaction. The sale decision has raised a number of areas where we believe that decisions taken by IBRC resulted in a less than optimum return for the bank. The transaction has also been the subject of a number of PQs and press queries which further questioned the commercial rationale for some elements of the sale including payments made to existing stakeholders. We are recommending that the Chairman is asked to commission a full independent review in relation to the Siteserv transaction"

Ministers Integrity question

In an article in the journal.ie Ms Murphy questioned whether Noonan was being genuine when he “insisted he was satisfied that the SiteServ deal represented the best deal for the State”. She went on to say “The documents I receive today really make me question whether or not the Minister really believed that was the case,” she told reporters.