Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

That is the core of it. I believe there was discussion on this at the education committee on this issue, and I heard Deputy Quinn ask how many times did they not understand that the answer was "No". No means no. I pursued this issue. It is just not acceptable. The HEA did its utmost to ensure that these matters were addressed. That is why in the reform measures we will be bringing forward, I believe in the autonomy for the institutions, but I also believe that there must be value for the taxpayers' money. When circulars are not abided by, then there should be repercussions.

It is disappointing that this has happened, but I welcome the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Now that we have dealt with many of the issues that I alluded to in my reply, I hope that people will accept that when the Department of Finance, the Department of Education and Skills and the HEA state that these are unauthorised, then they should be taken seriously.

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