John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We can take the issue up again. Earlier I suggested that we would review it today and determine whether we have to ask the officials to come back in when discussing the general Vote. In the meantime we might take up the issue raised by the Deputies. We can also write to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government about the issue, if necessary.

I must leave to attend another meeting that is scheduled to begin at 3.30 p.m. so I will ask Deputy Deasy to take the Chair. Before leaving I have two questions for the Department of Finance which are not for answer today but it can forward its replies to me. Recently, I tabled a parliamentary question on Belfry investments to the Department but in its reply it referred me all over the place for figures. If I was interested enough in Belfry investments to table a parliamentary question then the Department might have considered its answer and given me the figures rather than signposts to go elsewhere.

My last comment is for Mr. Walsh from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. On 5 March, the Secretary General of that Department, Mr. Watt, said he would circulate a note to the Secretaries General of Departments informing them that they should be timely in the context of their responses to this committee. I wish, through Mr. Walsh, to bring to Mr. Watt's attention the fact the Department of Education and Skills has a number of reports on third level education, some of which came before us through whistleblowers, that we are anxious to have dealt with. We intend to discuss other third level issues with that Department and the Higher Education Authority.

Can Mr. Walsh please ask Mr. Watt to remind that particular Secretary General that we are awaiting the replies? If we do not receive them in a timely fashion, we will set a date for a meeting where we can include all the Government stakeholders and Departments and thrash it out publicly. I presume Mr. Moran will come back to me with the information requested in the parliamentary question I tabled.