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

I accept that.

I have a final question for the witness from DCU. A recurring issue of concern is that of the subsidiary companies. The WIT falls into this category also. Subsidiary companies appear to be funded by the colleges, yet that funding is not incorporated into their accounts. I note also that in the case of WIT in particular, the former president was on the board of its subsidiary company. Mr. McFeely chose not to take up a position on the board. Major issues of corporate governance arise in this regard. That Mr. McFeely is not on the board is to be welcomed.

With regard to DCU, reference was made to the Helix and so on. What level of funding has been put into the Helix and other operations in terms of subsidisation of these ventures and how is this justified?