Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We will make clear that the university needs to provide evidence to prove its statement is correct.

Nos. 1215C and 1234C are correspondence from an individual dated 29 March 2018 and 17 April 2018, respectively. The individual has corresponded with the committee on a number of occasions regarding his dismissal from the Irish Prison Service in 1989. We requested the Department of Justice and Equality to respond to the matter and the Department's response was forwarded to the individual late last year. While the committee was sympathetic to the case, it agreed that it was not within its remit to take the matter of an individual's dismissal from employment further.

In this further correspondence, the individual in question repudiates the response from the Department and requests the correspondence to be forwarded to the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. I propose that we forward the correspondence to the joint committee, as requested, for whatever action it deems appropriate, while reiterating to the individual concerned that it is not within the remit of the Committee of Public Accounts to examine the reasons for his dismissal. While the committee's consideration of the matter is closed, members are free to raise it in a manner they see fit outside the committee. We will submit the correspondence to the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality and write to the individual in question. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 1238 is from Ms Katherine Licken, Secretary General of Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht regarding a matter raised with the committee by Deputy Niamh Smyth on Creative Ireland's programme of activities. Is it agreed to note, publish and send a copy to Deputy Smyth? Agreed.

No. 1243C is from an individual requesting the committee to make inquiries in respect of Cork Education and Training Board. The individual in question believes she was victimised for having raised issues related to the organisation in 2007 when it was known as County Cork Vocational Education Committee. The matter was dealt with by the Equality Tribunal and the person also took legal action against the VEC. A personal injury claim was settled out of court. As the committee stated previously in response to similar correspondence, it is not within our remit to become involved in individual employment cases such as this. I propose we write to the individual in question accordingly. Is that agreed?