McGlone: Translink can’t cope, won’t cope

SDLP Deputy Leader Patsy McGlone has questioned the validity of the Department of Finance’s awarding of Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) status to Translink.

The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC), which includes Translink, was awarded Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) status in 2007 in a process overseen by the Central Procurement Directorate within the Department of Finance and Personnel. That CoPE status was reviewed in 2009 and NITHC, including Translink, retained its CoPE status.

The Mid Ulster MLA said: “Translink was awarded CoPE status in 2007. That status was retained following a review in 2009.

“Yet the Regional Development Minister now tells us that Translink has “a longstanding arrangement” with pension advisers but that they don’t know how long that arrangement has been in place.

“All they do know is that the average annual spend on that arrangement, over the last three years, was £96,000. That’s a total of £288,000 over those three years.

“And the minister also tells us that in July 2010, a year after the CoPE status was reviewed and retained, Translink finally began a procurement process for the pensions advisers contract.

“Additionally, the contract for Translink’s Claims & Liability Legal Services was due for renewal in 2007. Over the last three years the average annual expenditure has been approximately £130,000 but the contract has yet to be officially renewed. Again, that’s £390,000 in all.

“Translink have also operated a number of ad-hoc arrangements with firms of solicitors but can’t find any records of a tender process. The cost of these arrangements has been estimated at approximately £160,000 per annum over the last three years. Another estimated, cost of £480,000.

“Despite all its problems Translink still proudly carries its CoPE status, as, of course, does NI Water. Yet earlier this year the Regional Development Minister sacked the Board of that agency for alleged procurement irregularities.

“It really does call into question the validity of the Department and Finance’s assessment and awarding of CoPE status.

“If they can’t CoPE, who can?”

ENDS