Dr. Ruaidhrí Neavyn:

In the first instance, expenditure on books was reviewed as part of the reimbursement claim. We have carried out an analysis of the books and the number of them that remain in the institute. We have obviously asked the former president to return any books he has in his personal possession and for explanations in respect of books which, effectively, are not within our library. A number of texts were bought as gifts for visiting dignitaries or people from overseas. These were specific books relevant to the history or archive and arts of Waterford. They were, therefore, purchased for gift purposes. The Deputy is correct that a number of other texts which would have been bought for personal use and we have sought to discover their whereabouts and whether we can get the back or be given payment in respect of them.