Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is good. We might then move down the process.

Dr. Love and Department representatives said that it is important, from a governance evolution perspective, for an organisation to learn from its mistakes and I totally agree with that. However, the fact there is a procedure in place does not mean it is a good one or the right one; nor does it mean that it is going to lead to learning. If a truly independent, external body is involved in setting terms of reference and managing matters at arm's length, like the Department or the HEA, the results of that process can act as the learning catalyst in improving governance in an organisation, whether that be CIT, Sligo IT or any other State entity.

I have a concern about this letter and the issue of parties and entertainment. Dr. Love said that this had the potential to address the problem as he saw it. He said that it was a personal view but wanted to reserve the right of the board to take its own view. I am glad he so reserved because I cannot see how his board would be remotely happy with this. It is all about what is going to be done in the future as opposed to addressing what happened in the past. There is no sanction. There is an acknowledgement that €13,000 was dished out, that the person in charge of the money decided to spend it and that this was clearly condoned by others. The only suggestion is that for presidential or governing body expenditure in excess of €500, prior approval of the vice president of finance and administration is required but that is easily obtained. That is not a procedure. Where is the sanction?