Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. Professor Fitzgerald has spoken about preserving reputation. I believe that reputation is earned, just like respect is earned. I welcome without hesitation what Professor Fitzgerald has said, but preserving the reputation of the university is immaterial to me at the moment given what has been highlighted. I have had the privilege of going to university. I regard it as a privilege. It is very important for Limerick and the area, but reputation is earned and it is earned by a university that is open and accountable with money which primarily comes from the taxpayer. I see Professor O'Shea nodding. I am worried and very concerned about the general comment that this is not public money. We have been through this with An Garda Síochána. The universities get substantial public moneys. They are co-mingled with other moneys which, it seems, are separate from the student foundations and trusts, which are not open and accountable. We will be coming back to trusts and foundations that are not consolidated with accounts. Generally speaking, the presidents, who all happen to be male, feel that these should not be subjected to public scrutiny at this committee and that the charities are the appropriate thing. I will come back to that. What strikes me, and it has already been said by one or two of my colleagues, is the matter of whistleblowers, what they have gone through and what has been said about them. One of them, who featured on the television programme, said that she just cried and cried, knowing it was a whitewash. The contrast is stark, is it not?