David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

No, this is separate. This was on my own behalf and not on behalf of the PAC. Given that the HEA is carrying out an external review and given the limitations on the Comptroller and Auditor General in terms of what he can and cannot do, it might be an opportunity for the HEA to use the Waterford example to go under the bonnet, as it were, and look at the type of issues we are looking at? I can furnish the PAC with my suggested terms of reference and the HEA will be back before the committee at some point.

It is important for me to put on record that we must be able to do our job without fear or favour. We must be able to put questions fairly. It is unfair for Ministers of State or witnesses to put any undue pressure on us in terms of the questions we put because we simply would not be able to do our job. I fully stand over my bona fides and integrity in terms of the questions I put.