Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes. Presumably the courses in the sector are provided in the area of energy.

The letter goes on to state:

As per our correspondence of 17 June, and with reference to the correspondence from the Committee, the HEA wrote to the higher education institutions, seeking assurances that any partnerships, grants, funding or similar arrangements between publicly funded higher education institutions and third parties do not proceed counter to the public interest,".

Further down, it reads: "Responses from the institutions have been submitted to the HEA and assurances have been provided that higher education institutions are not acting counter to the public interest or the interests of institutions' students and staff by contributing to the climate and biodiversity crises, and that governance requirements are being satisfied." We do not want to make allegations, but the whole thing does not seem to sit right. I have always been concerned about commercial entities funding and shaping the education system and having too much of an influence thereon. Without making allegations against Tullow Oil, this seems to put a company in a position whereby it is funding a course. What input has it into the course's design and content? We need to invite the HEA to a meeting because, although we are discussing an individual institution, this could be happening at a number of institutions around the State.