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WRC chief denies saying there would be no opportunities for officials who pushed for pay boost, witness tells tribual

Summary

The head of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Audrey Cahill, has denied in the strongest terms that she made remarks suggesting that two civil servants who campaigned for a pay increase would never get an interview while she was in charge, a witness has told a tribunal. The claimant, WRC adjudication officer Séamus Clinton, is pursuing complaints under several employment equality laws, alleging discrimination, victimisation, and penalisation. A central issue in the case is that Mr Clinton was not shortlisted for a regional manager position in the WRC's mediation division, despite applying. Ms Cahill chaired the interview panel that rejected his application. A data disclosure revealed that five men and five women applied, but only one man and three women were ultimately appointed. The tribunal heard that a colleague allegedly overheard Ms Cahill saying that neither Mr Clinton nor another adjudication officer would ever get another interview or job in the WRC while she was director-general. However, Ms Cahill denies making such remarks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: WRC chief denies saying there would be no opportunities for officials who pushed for pay boost, witness tells tribual. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 2 April 2025 Other
• Christmas Other
• 2026-04-16 Publication

Why: " "I'm saying so because I asked her about the statement," Mr Phelan said, adding that it was on foot of the statements put forward in legal papers filed just before Christmas by Mr Clinton's lawyers. CNI source report

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report