Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would just call it that Mr. Kelly was misled and whatever the scenario will end up to be when the investigations are complete, I cannot understand that he was not forthcoming in saying that he was misled. I just do not understand that. It is very simple. We were misled but we asked the questions. When it comes down to Mr. Lemass and Dr. Alan Wall, I am voicing what I voiced at the last committee meeting.

I do not want to see moneys given from the URDF. I am not going to name it because there is an investigation under way but I know that if, as a private citizen, I go to access money anywhere, I am asked for a tax clearance certificate. I am not saying their tax affairs are not in order but, certainly, their affairs are not in order and their governance is not in order. Until such time as they are, I do not want to see any co-operation from a county council.

I want to see the Dunnes Stores site sold because it has attached such a poor taste to the University of Limerick that I do not think it will ever shake it off. I think it should consider that this is something it never intended to buy, certainly not for the money that it cost. It would be much better to off-load it to someone who can take responsibility and then lease it back - let it be Limerick City and County Council off its own bat. However, it should get rid of it because it is already doing the university huge damage, no more than with Rhebogue. If the university is not going to get planning permission, it should sell off those houses, give them to the people who require them and get into an estate where it can build student accommodation under the planning, which it should do. I hope it is looking at sites so that may be the case. Is any site proposed in case the university does not get planning for Rhebogue? Is anybody looking at that?

We are losing the fact there are 18,000 UL students involved. This is all about the executive, who do not seem to be suffering at all. They are being put on sabbaticals at €175,000 a year and on extended sick leave at another €175,000 a year, one assumes. What was the cost of renovation for those who are now on whatever type of leave it is? Is it sick leave? Mr. Flaherty is on leave. Is that correct? What is that the result of?