The appointment, which follows the sacking of former chairman Chris Mellor in March, is expected to last up to nine months, until a permanent appointment process is conducted.There will also be a review of the long-term governing arrangements for water and sewage services."I welcome the appointment of Padraic White who will bring his wealth of skills and experience to bear in providing a steadying influence on the Board of NIW following what has been a difficult time for the organisation," Conor Murphy said.Mr White will join the four recently appointed interim non-executive directors, Peter Bunting, Lawson McDonald, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Kevin Steele, as well as Don Price, who remains on the Board.SDLP Regional Development spokesperson Conall McDevitt said the appointment of an interim chairperson to NI Water should be for the minimum period possible.He said: "Interim appointments by the Minister may be necessary to establish the integrity of the board of NI Water in the short term, but given the crisis of confidence in the Department's handling of the establishment of the company they should be for the minimum period necessary."
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Mr White is a former managing director of the Industrial Development Authority of Ireland. He has also acted as Chair on a variety of private, public and community bodies. He is currently the chairman of the Railway Procurement Agency.He is also a successful author, writing on Irish economic development and advising governments throughout the world on foreign investment. March, four members of the board were sacked by Mr Murphy after an internal inquiry found major contracts were awarded without competitive tendering.SDLP member of the Public Accounts Committee John Dallat branded the situation crazy."We are now in a crazy situation where five members of the eight-man board are temporary. What does this say about the long-term commitment of the Minister towards the delivery of services to the people of Northern Ireland? Mr Dallat asked."Northern Ireland Water needs long-term stability, a sense of direction and a board of directors that are prepared to tackle the issues and sort out those who have contributed to the mess the company is currently in."