Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social
Husband, trade unionist, football & travel.
National officer for NI at FDA union - the union for managers and professionals in public service.
Director for Ireland at Unions21
National officer for NI at FDA union - the union for managers and professionals in public service.
Director for Ireland at Unions21
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
“The longer this question goes unanswered, the greater the risk that the minister's actions will sow seeds of doubt in the public’s mind over the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded civil service resources." - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
Union representing Civil Servants call for clarity over Minister's Israel trip
"As it would appear that civil service resources have been used to support this trip, it is vital that there is clarity over whether this was government business or party business."
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
“The longer this question goes unanswered, the greater the risk that the minister's actions will sow seeds of doubt in the public’s mind over the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded civil service resources." - @robertmurtagh1.bsky.social
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/norther...
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
“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...
Robert Murtagh in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk on the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards appointment
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
There must be consequences for poor conduct at Stormont… but MLAs are allowed to mark their own homework
It was announced last week that former Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan has been appointed the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards, for approval by the Assembly.
m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
“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...
Robert Murtagh in @belfasttelegraph.co.uk on the new Assembly Commissioner for Standards appointment
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
"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"
@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"
June 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
"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"
@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"
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
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.
May 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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.
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
“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/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Continuing overspends on major capital projects in Northern Ireland dubbed 'unacceptable'
Urgent review of NICS Board needed, NI Public Accounts Committee says as £3bn overspend revealed
www.civilserviceworld.com
April 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“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/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
"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 👇
@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social's response to the latest Northern Ireland Assembly's PAC report on Major Capital Projects 👇
April 3, 2025 at 12:06 PM
"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 👇
@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social's response to the latest Northern Ireland Assembly's PAC report on Major Capital Projects 👇
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
"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...
www.scotsman.com/news/crime/j...
Civil servants 'working until midnight' due to 'massive problems' with Scottish court backlogs
Concern over workloads and staffing pressures at Crown Office and Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
www.scotsman.com
February 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
"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...
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.
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.
February 18, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
“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/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Don't blame civil servants for Northern Ireland overspend, union says
Politicians urged not to 'scapegoat' civil servants after MLA blasts 'scale of financial mismanagement' in the NICS
www.civilserviceworld.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
“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/...
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.
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.
“Let's not use civil servants as scapegoats”
@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social told BBC Radio Ulster that “putting the blame” for government overspend at the foot of civil servants rather than ministers “who haven't been in place for 5 of the last 8 years” fails to tackle the root cause of the problem.
@robertmurtagh1.bsky.social told BBC Radio Ulster that “putting the blame” for government overspend at the foot of civil servants rather than ministers “who haven't been in place for 5 of the last 8 years” fails to tackle the root cause of the problem.
February 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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.
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.
Great to be joined by FDA reps from Public Prosection Service NI.
November 28, 2024 at 10:18 AM
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.
Great to be joined by FDA reps from Public Prosection Service NI.
Wow 🇾🇪
November 24, 2024 at 4:33 PM
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...
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...
How fit is your union for the future?
unions21.org
November 24, 2024 at 12:02 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
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
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
November 21, 2024 at 4:36 PM
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
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.
Already fascinating discussion with participants on purpose, mission and values.
November 21, 2024 at 10:36 AM
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.
Already fascinating discussion with participants on purpose, mission and values.
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
Reposted by Robert Murtagh - FDA National Officer NI 🟣
Absolutely lovely day in Dublin with a really great group!
November 20, 2024 at 3:12 PM
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.
Also, thank you to NIPSA GS Carmel Gates and DGS Maria Morgan for productive conversation yesterday.
November 19, 2024 at 9:13 PM
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.
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.
For stable staffing in the civil service, we need stable government.
After @beltel.bsky.social last year exposured alarming levels of civil service temporary promotions wide open to abuse, officials said they'd cut them . Instead, they've increased. Now 11% of all Northern Ireland's civil servants haven't been properly appointed.
While claiming to get better, NI Civil Service has got worse — and that’s hurting it as well as us
When a computer doesn’t work, you turn it off and on. When a car doesn’t work, you take it to a mechanic. When a civil service doesn’t work, what do you do? Not much, it seems.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 16, 2024 at 4:25 PM
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.
For stable staffing in the civil service, we need stable government.
Cavehill, Belfast 💚
November 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM
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...
Transforming your union communications
unions21.org
November 15, 2024 at 7:46 PM
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
November 15, 2024 at 9:38 AM
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!
November 14, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Please send follower recommendations so I can build up my timeline with good and interesting content!