Mr. Paul Gallagher:

Yes. The governing body was established under the Act. External bodies make nominations to the governing body. The only member of the executive on the governing body is the president. There are two staff members from the academic community, one non-academic staff member and two student members. Everyone else on the governing body is external. Once the governing body is established - it was last done in March 2015 - committees are established of members of the governing body. A finance committee was established, but there was nobody on the governing body with an accounting qualification. Following a self-evaluation review, it was decided that the membership should be strengthened. There is provision in the terms of reference to co-opt someone with specialist skills onto the governing body. This is the first time we have done it, but I am aware that a number of institutes of technology have done it previously. We believe it is a matter of good practice and the committee undertook the process of advertising, short-listing and filling the position.