Mr. Seamus McCarthy:

The set of financial statements relates to the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, which is probably better known as the Fulbright Commission. The accounting period is 2021 to 2022. It received a clear audit opinion.

No. 2 comprises the financial statements for InterTradeIreland for 2021. This is one of the North–South bodies. It received a clear audit opinion. Members might want to note that the statement was certified on 30 September 2022 but only presented on 8 March 2023, so there is a delay in respect of that one.

No. 3 is for University College Cork, UCC, for 2020–21. The accounts received a qualified audit opinion. In most respects, or in almost all respects, the financial statements presented a true and fair view, except in one respect. The university recognises an asset in respect of deferred pension funding. That is standard practice for universities. I draw attention to it, but that is not the basis of the qualification. The amount recognised includes €11.4 million in respect of liabilities related to professional added years for transferred-in service. In my view, this is an estimated €3.4 million more than is provided for in an agreement between the university and the Higher Education Authority, HEA. Therefore, the account is qualified in respect of that. I have reported and qualified in previous years that it is an ongoing, unresolved matter that I have drawn attention to.

The second aspect, which again does not go to the qualification, is that I draw attention to the disclosure of a material level of non-compliance with procurement rules. Does the Cathaoirleach wish to refer to that?