Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will be direct with Dr. Thorn. When I read that, it really troubled me that Dr. Thorn was wondering if he would or would not speak to Professor Barry. The article in question is much more definitive. It says that he would not be looking to speak to him. When I went and had a look at Dr. Thorn's profile and saw that he had had an involvement with a college associated with the university, that troubled me even more. I cannot speak on their behalf, but if I was one of the whistleblowers who had been through the experience that they have been through, I would want to know who Dr. Thorn is and would want to be satisfied about his bona fides and his objectivity and absolute impartiality. I would be concerned on that score. I want to give Dr. Thorn the opportunity to place on record his absolute impartiality, objectivity and the fact that there are no conflicts of interest in carrying out his task, for the whistleblowers in particular but also for the staff and students of Limerick and the greater region. I would be obliged if he would do that.