Mr. Tom Boland:

I will try to be as helpful as possible on this one. This matter was referred to me by the Department of Education and Skills because two people wished to make a protected disclosure. I met with them in June or July. I do not have the precise date. They set out a range of concerns, particularly to do with what they saw as a bullying treatment of them in the university. They attributed that bullying treatment to the fact that they were not co-operating with what they saw as inappropriate practices in the finance department. The three of us agreed a minute of the meeting which I sent to the president of the university and asked for a reply which he duly did. Out of that, it is clear that there is a mix of disciplinary issues in relation to the two people concerned.

I have been trying to find out the details of the allegations because the HEA is very anxious that any allegations are fully and completely investigated. In fairness to the university, that is its wish as well and it has put the internal auditors in touch with me to establish what the allegations are. The two people concerned do not feel in a position at the moment to set out what the allegations are. However, in my most recent e-mail with them I have agreed to their request to meet again. A date was arranged but unfortunately I had to change it to next week. I am very happy to meet with them again to see how their concerns can be met because I would like to see the matter put beyond doubt, one way or another, as quickly as possible. Any allegation of improper conduct in the university should be investigated and this is a view which I strongly believe is shared by the university. A great deal of damage can be done to the university by allegations not being fully dealt with as soon as possible. That is the latest position.