FOI - 2012 - 24 Families Acting for Innocent Victims (FAIR)

Date of response:
September 2012

Request:
"I now request the provision of the following information under the terms of current Freedom of Information legislation applicable in Northern Ireland.

1. In 2010, whilst utilising the services of the Central Investigation Service (DARD)  in respect of issues concerning FAIR, was the SEUPB and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Pat Colgan aware the activities of this particular department and its head, Mr Thomas McCauley were or had been the subject of an investigation commissioned by the then DARD Permanent Secretary, Mr Gerry Lavery.
2. If so why did the SEUPB and its Chief Executive officer continue to engage CIS to investigate the FAIR issue .
3. Did the SEUPB receive a copy of the Deloitte Report which detailed the findings of the investigation into CIS and its head of department, Mr Thomas McCauley.
4. What actions, if any, did SEUPB take if it received the Deloitte Report in respect of the investigation into the activities of CIS and its head of department, Mr Thomas McCauley involvement in actions relative to FAIR.
5. A written copy of all advice/recommendations given to the SEUPB by CIS/Mr T McCauley in respect of all actions to be initiated against FAIR by the SEUPB as a direct result of all audits/investigations carried out into the Victims group.
6. In light of the 2010 investigation and subsequent Deloitte Report into the activities of CIS and its head, Mr Thomas McCauley does the SEUPB and its Chief Executive Officer still endorse all advice/recommendations provided to them by this department in respect of all matters and subsequent actions taken against FAIR.
7. A copy of the SEUPB letter dated 12/10/10 which referred the FAIR issues to the PSNI for investigation.
8. Names of and the positions held by Consortium staff who provided advice, guidance and training on procurement matters to FAIR on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
9. The venues/locations where advice,guidance and training was delivered by the Consortium to FAIR on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
10. The names of FAIR members and staff who received advice, guidance and training on procurement matters from the Consortium on 17/12/09 and 9/2/10.
11. Hard copies of all letters, emails, minutes of meetings and reports involving the representatives/officials of the SEUPB, the OFMDFM, the Department of Finance and Personnel (NI), the department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) or any other NI Executive department in relation to all investigations initiated and carried out by the above named parties into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12
12. Hard copies of all letters and emails exchanged between the SEUPB and Central Investigation Service (DARD) in respect of all issues relating to, and investigations carried out into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12
13. Hard copies of all findings and reports provided to the SEUPB by Central Investigation Service (DARD) in respect of all investigations carried out by CIS into the victims group, FAIR during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12.
14. Hard copies of all Central Investigation Service/Northern Ireland government departments correspondence detailing actions to be initiated against FAIR as a direct result of investigations carried out into the victims group during the period 1/1/10 - 29/8/12.
15. Hard copies of all correspondence either received or sent by the SEUPB in October/November 2010 stating police had confirmed/stated a 'prima facie' case existed in respect of FAIR.   
16. Hard copies of all correspondence, emails, minutes of meetings and reports involving representatives of the SEUPB and the Consortium (Community Relations Council/Pobal) in respect of all matters concerning FAIR during the period 4/10/09 - 29/8/12.
17. Dates and findings of all SEUPB initiated audits during 2010 into the actions/activities of the victims group FAIR .
18. The names of all organisations/government departments who undertook any SEUPB initiated audit in 2010 into the actions/activities of the victims group, FAIR.
19. Copies of all correspondence - including emails and faxes - exchanged between the SEUPB and PSNI from 1/1/10 - 9/812 in respect of all matters and issues in respect of the actions/activities of the victims group, FAIR."

Outcome: