Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What Mr. McFeely has told us is appalling. In 2000, approximately €30,000 was incurred in expenditure. The previous president adhered to the guidelines. A new president was appointed. Mr. McFeely was not satisfied with the documentation. The Deloitte report has revealed that much of that documentation was not backed up. The expenditure was signed off on by another member of management under Professor Byrne’s direction. This situation continued for at least eight years prior to Mr. McFeely becoming involved again.

The figures for 2008, 2009 and 2010 are €635,000, €390,000 and €455,000, respectively. They were still exceptionally high. There is an issue with double-claiming and I do not accept that the amounts owed to the taxpayer are small. The Deloitte report was published under freedom of information provisions. The Grant Thornton report must also be published. This is a matter of public interest. It does a disservice to the entire education system, including WIT, which is a tremendous institute. The truth needs to come out.

I am shocked that, despite members of the board and management team, including Mr. McFeely, being aware of the issue, it was not stopped. There was a problem with the institute’s governance, given the proposition that a president could use €3.6 million as a personal slush fund.

This is beyond comprehension. It is important this matter is rectified and that any money owed to the taxpayer would be pursued with vigour. While much good work is being done, everything done must be in the interests of the taxpayer. What happened in this instance over many years is completely unacceptable. I ask Dr. Neavyn to give an assurance to this committee and the public that there will be no cover-ups and that this matter will be pursued in the interests of the taxpayer and students and staff of WIT. This is incredible and appalling. I want an assurance that this matter will be pursued with vigour and that any money owed to the taxpayer will be pursued. Dr. Neavyn might, when giving that assurance, tell the committee whether Bracken Public Relations Limited or Brance Nolan Limited were reappointed under the tender system and whether that appointment was made before or after Professor Byrne ceased to be president of the institute.