Pair chosen to review department role in NI water chaos

Conor Murphy has said measures are in place to avoid a repeat of the water crisis

The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister have chosen two people to investigate the Department of Regional Development's role in the water crisis.

Philip Holder has 25 years experience in the utilities sector with the English company East Surrey Holdings.

Heather Moorhead is a former chief executive of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association.

They will investigate the department while the utility regulator will probe the role of NI Water in the crisis.

The twin-track inquiry is expected to report back with recommendations before the end of February.

Meanwhile, the regional development minister Conor Murphy has said he has been assured that measures are in place to ensure there is no repeat of the problems.

Mr Murphy said NI Water had told the Executive and his department about "the immediate lessons they have put in place".

He added: "We also received a report from the Civil Contingencies Group - who span across all departments in terms of a response to an emergency situation - to tell us what suggestions they had put in place to allow other agencies and government departments to assist NI Water should any issue like this arise again."