David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman might recall that I raised substantial questions at the meeting with the Secretary General from the Department of Education and Skills. It was acknowledged at that meeting that there is an internal review under way in Waterford IT in regard to conflicts of interest which include the president of the institute. The Secretary General was at pains to point out that the president would have no role in the review because he is subject to the review. I have very serious questions to ask on governance, management and oversight of intellectual property. As Waterford Institute of Technology will be before the committee next week, we need to put it on notice that those questions will be asked. If Waterford IT is to appear before the committee on issues relating to policy and governance, should a representative of the HEA and the Department also be present? I believe there are serious questions that need to be asked and answered.

I also think that we need to find out why an internal review is taking place now. We need answers to questions such as what is the genesis of this review? It is interesting that at the same time as questions are being asked there is an internal review under way within the institute. There are other issues I would like to raise, which I will pass on to the secretariat, and we can have a discussion on them tomorrow. To be fair to the witnesses due to appear before us next week, they should be given notice that these issues will require to be addressed.