“For a standards regime to have any real meaning, there must be consequences for poor conduct, otherwise public trust in govt will only continue to erode” Robert Murtagh in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk on the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards appointment www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...

"It can't just be the Civil Service who takes the blame" @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social told View From Stormont "we need to look beyond just the Civil Service" for why infrastructure projects are not being completed on time as "five out of the last eight years, we haven't had ministers in place"

It's always good to visit our friends in @ahcps.bsky.social at their annual conference. All the more so to hear @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social in his role as @unions21.org Director for Ireland talk about its work on trade union renewal, helping unions to build capacity & capability.

“This isn’t something the civil service can address on its own – it requires political leadership. When the committee speaks about a need to review leadership, it’s unfair to point the finger solely at civil servants" - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

"This isn’t something the civil service can address on its own... It is ministers who are elected by the public to deliver on these projects and they need to take responsibility.” @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social's response to the latest Northern Ireland Assembly's PAC report on Major Capital Projects 👇

"Without sustained further investment, we risk undermining public confidence in Scotland’s justice system and placing intolerable strain on an already overstretched workforce." - FDA National Officer Allan Sampson www.scotsman.com/news/crime/j...

Productive afternoon on the hill with @fdaunion.bsky.social NI Convenor Robbie Davis meeting MLAs from across the chamber. We discussed the challenges facing the civil service and in particular senior civil servants, in light of political instability and a lack of multi-year budgets.

“I think that it is a disservice to look at the root causes of this overspend and not to think about the political instability, the near-permanent crisis that has defined our politics for the last eight years” - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Civil servants are accountable to ministers, ministers are accountable to the public and taxpayer. Blaming civil servants for overspend when 5 out of the last 8 years we haven’t had a functioning executive ignores systemic issues. We need political stability and multi-year budgets.

Clear and frosty morning in Edinburgh after a great day yesterday for the @fdaunion.bsky.social prosecutors network, bringing together public prospectors from Scotland, NI, England and Wales. Great to be joined by FDA reps from Public Prosection Service NI.

Wow 🇾🇪

Interested in using a tool to think about the health of your union? Why not try @unions21.org maturity model? This is not a precise measure but designed to help you empower your union to be stronger, more adaptable, and ready for the future.. Check it out ⬇️ unions21.org/ideas/how-fi...

And so, I head back to London. Very grateful for the brilliant group we have here. How kind, generous and fun they’ve been. The Irish movement is in good hands for sure

Great setting in Dublin for @unions21.org future leaders programme at the Communication Workers Union Ireland, overlooking GAA HQ. Already fascinating discussion with participants on purpose, mission and values.

unions21.org/ideas/transf... #tradeunions #unions #labor

Absolutely lovely day in Dublin with a really great group!

Great to have my first @fdaunion.bsky.social NI section committee yesterday discussing a range of issues affecting our members in the NI civil service & prosecution service. Also, thank you to NIPSA GS Carmel Gates and DGS Maria Morgan for productive conversation yesterday.

As said by FDA general secretary Dave Penman, temporary promotions are simply a symptom of uncertainty on budgets and priorities. For stable staffing in the civil service, we need stable government.

Cavehill, Belfast 💚

Ive had a few union people follow me since I opened this account, if you are interested check out this fantastic blog by @robyeldham.bsky.social on the importance of comms and some provoking questions for union leaders on valuing comms unions21.org/ideas/transf...

Please add to the list for politicians, journalists and other public figures in NI who are making the big move to bluesky! go.bsky.app/JgT6Wmh

Please send follower recommendations so I can build up my timeline with good and interesting content!