Dr. Ruaidhrí Neavyn:

The membership of governing bodies of institutes of technology and other State bodies tends to be voluntary in nature. The members in question rely on the integrity of the most senior officer in the relevant institute to guide them on what is appropriate and what is not. That reflects the position with regard to the relationship between the office of the president of an institute and the governing body or audit committee of the institute. I suppose that is why I said in my opening statement that the lack of a disclosure policy, or some form of whistleblower mechanism, to enable people to speak freely or to raise these matters with governing bodies, which are largely voluntary, is a major omission. I understand that procedures are coming forward in that regard specifically for the area of education.