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

Centralised procurement guidelines? I can point to audits of instances when centralised procurement guidelines by large State agencies have been ignored, costing the State a fortune. Mr. Burke's Department does not seem to have the muscle necessary to ensure that procurement processes are in place and adhered to. This is the issue for each of the witnesses. They might believe that the difficult time they are having this morning will be over when they walk out the door, but it will not be over. Many people are disgusted by the manner in which these processes are policed. The committee has highlighted such instances a number of times and referenced them in special reports, yet they are still happening. Dressing up an opening statement and claiming that someone has learned for the future is not good enough. The authorities before us have not been overseeing the bodies that they are expected to oversee properly. They are at fault as much as the college. I am sure that the public does not disagree much with my view.

I wish to ask about the accounts. One of the college's figures is for room hire at €2,500. Has the college no rooms of its own to use?