Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation and I thank the committee for allowing me to ask questions as a non-transferred member of the committee. I have listened attentively to the specific roles and responsibilities of the authority and I appreciate the definitions provided. It is important to have clear lines of definition when we are trying to explore solutions to a major problem and this case requires a solution to a major problem for many families. There is a particular dilemma for the families. I have before me a list of transaction dates, including 15 June, 30 May, 5 June, 4 May, 15 June, 21 June, 24 May, 15 May, 13 June, 2 May, 21 May, 1 May and 15 June 2012. An average of €20,000 was handed over to the Pilot Training College in Watford during a period of up to four weeks prior to the authority being notified that there was a problem at the commercial end between the institute in Florida and PTC Waterford. This is a hard dilemma facing these parents and students.

I have five specific questions but I will be quick because I am mindful that time is against us. Will the delegation reiterate its specific role? Does the IAA examine a company and determine whether it has sufficient resources to safely provide the training required? Does the IAA do this internally or does it commission an independent body to evaluate whether a company has sufficient resources to carry out training in a safe way? How often are these evaluations carried out, whether internally or externally? When was the most recent evaluation carried out, if at all? If so, was the IAA satisfied with that evaluation? Is the evaluation available to members of the committee?

I wish to support my colleague, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan. We need to explore further the issue of culpability. I appreciate what the witness says. The ultimate culpable body is the company that has left these families high and dry. Deputy O'Donovan's proposal is seconded by Deputy Ann Phelan. It needs to be taken seriously. I am not telling the witnesses their business but it is something to be considered. This matter should go to the Director of Corporate Enforcement. I am making this suggestion as a particular route for this committee to explore. Corporate, white collar crime is involved in this instance. All that money paid in the months of May and June was never sent to Florida. I supplied the list of dates and I know that not one penny went to Florida. Where did that money go? The families want to know how they can repay their loans. The families know they do not have the sympathy of the public because of the cost of the course, which was €80,000. When people hear the cost of the course they presume the families are made of money. I know from my contacts that they took out loans to cover the cost. The banks will be knocking on their doors asking them to repay the loans while the ultimate culpable body gets away scot free. I reiterate a proposal for consideration by the committee. The Director of Corporate Enforcement should be asked to attend this committee and there should be an investigation into this debacle.