Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The third level sector was very much a feature of the previous Committee of Public Accounts. In fact, "Prime Time" did a special report on it. There were conflicts of interest and problems with things like spin-out companies and how the accounts were presented. Dr. Wall spoke about taking people on trust. I certainly would not take this sector on trust. Taking it on trust is a box-ticking exercise. The previous committee concluded that the HEA was toothless, as did I, and I stated that on numerous occasions. The HEA itself accepts that and that is why the Government is bringing in new legislation to increase its powers. That needs to happen. One can only work with what one has. Governance is the one area where the HEA has a role. Dr. Wall spoke at the beginning of the meeting about the Dunnes Stores site.

I know it was not funded - Dr. Wall has told us that - but he told us that the HEA would take it on trust. He spoke about reading things backwards from now. Was any attention paid to the previous hearings of the Committee of Public Accounts with regard to this sector? It is a sector that is likely to feature in this committee's meetings again. I wish it was not. I wish it would clean up its act but we continue to see matters arising. Is the HEA taking it on trust?