Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I repeat that the universities and people concerned should be ashamed of themselves. As I stated, the issue was in the public domain prior to the Tánaiste's appointment and has been the subject of references in the reports of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector and in questions previously raised in the House. As I stated, as soon as the extent of the problem became clear in 2005, the issue was dealt with in a decisive way after subsequent long and protracted discussions and negotiations. I and the Government regret this as much as Deputy O'Dowd does, but I want to assure the House that the Department has sought and received unequivocal commitments from each university where unapproved allowances were paid that in future it will adhere to the provisions of the Universities Act. The House should expect that.

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