David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Here is my concern. We have a HEA examination into an institute. The accountable person - the head of the relevant organisation - went to local media in the constituency of a Deputy who is member of the Committee of Public Accounts and called into question the motivations of that member in asking questions. This person said that the member, referring to me, was trying to deconstruct 20 years of work done by the institute; that he was trying to damage Waterford city and county; that he was not acting in the best interests of the staff; and that he was acting on the basis of ulterior motivations which he has never put on the record. That is a very inappropriate way for an accountable person to respond to the Committee of Public Accounts. We have written to the accountable person and asked him to put his claims in writing.

I am saying this to Mr. Ó Foghlú and Dr. Love because it fits into our relationship and the role we play. It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to have to examine issues concerning any institute. However, we are appointed to this committee to do a job without fear or favour and to pose questions. I did not invent the issues. People came to me with protected disclosures and information and we had to do what we felt was best with that. It is completely inappropriate for an accountable person to call into question the motivations of a member of the Committee of Public Accounts who was simply asking questions. That has also happened to other members here in the context of work they do. Yes, it is a matter for the accountable persons, but surely it is also a matter for the Department and the HEA to ensure that we get certain protection. We are allowed to do our job and nobody is above accountability. Does Mr. Ó Foghlú accept that?