Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----by the end of March, within the time. We are happy to note that and put it on the record. When we get a report back from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding our periodic report, we will reconfirm the matter at that stage and discuss it again. I am delighted to see every line we write is scrutinised so closely. I am impressed. It is good. We will come back to this as part of our assessment of the response from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

There are three items related to our inquiries regarding the ongoing review of matters in Waterford Institute of Technology. No. 2125B, from Mr. William Beausang of the Department of Education and Skills, gives an update requested by the committee on the next steps regarding the independent review of the spin-out and sale of companies from telecommunications software systems group at Waterford IT, which was not completed for legal reasons relating to the remit of the Higher Education Authority. The Department is prepared to examine issues by the contributors to the HEA report if contributors give their permission to forward their information to the Department. In parallel, the Department is continuing to examine matters in the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report on the development and disposal of intellectual property in FeedHenry in Waterford IT and has raised a number of questions about WIT's governing body. Mr. Beausang advises that the Department will keep the committee updated when there are further developments.

Correspondence No. 2140B - as I said, there are three items related to this topic - is from Ms Stephanie Goode of the Department of Education and Skills, confirming that the Department has received responses mentioned in the last item from the governing body of Waterford Institute of Technology to the questions posed by the Department. Ms Goode advises that the responses are currently under active consideration by officials in the Department. It is agreed that we will note and publish this.

Also related to this matter is No. 2136B from Mr. Paul O'Toole, chief executive officer of the Higher Education Authority, regarding the authority's draft report on WIT regarding the development and disposal of intellectual property in FeedHenry. The HEA previously advised the committee that it was unable to complete the review as it did not have the legal powers to do so. Separately, the HEA did not agree to release the draft report to the Right to Know group following an FOI request. Mr. O'Toole advises that this decision was partially overturned by the Information Commissioner on appeal. That is good. Somebody was doing their job. The Information Commissioner determined that chapters 1 to 4 of the draft report should be released. Mr. O'Toole enclosed a copy of this document for the information of the committee. He does draw our attention to possible legal difficulties if the Right to Know group or others, such as this committee, publish this item.

I propose that we publish Mr. O'Toole's letter but that we do not publish the related document at this time. We might get agreement to that. There is a lot there.