Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Mr. Merrick totally. It is very difficult for ordinary members on a board. They are there voluntarily. There is no backup or training. I agree with all of that. That is a failure on the part of the system and the Department of Education and Skills in not ensuring that. I appreciate that the amalgamation went through too quickly, without any backup. I know the shared services, which I probably will not have time to get to, are probably not up to scratch yet. It has been brought to our attention that in Athenry, in Galway, it is extremely difficult and the staff are working under significant pressure. I want to get back to the board because I cannot get away from the fact that everything was in place to stop this from happening and it did not stop it. That is the kernel of it for me.

The board got legal advice. Was it clear to Mr. Merrick as an ordinary member, and is it clear to him now, how legal advice works? Who gets that? I understand the chairperson got the legal advice. Was that brought to the board's attention? Did the board sanction that? What would happen now if the board needed legal advice?