Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2010, a number of lecturers within Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, GMIT, became concerned about the treatment of allegations and instances of plagiarism and cheating within the institute. These concerns have been expressed in the local and national press. In 2011, an investigation was launched following a series of revelations in the Galway City Tribune about plagiarism at GMIT and discontent about standards among teaching staff. The incident involves a Master's student in the school of business who obtained an instructor's manual that contained model answers to assessment questions. The student used the material to cheat. The instructor manual was legitimately accessible by academic staff only and was protected by a password. It is alleged the password was passed by a lecturer to the student. The student was subsequently found guilty of plagiarism and had some marks docked but not enough to impact on his final year grade and the student later graduated.

Three internal investigations were held, the second of which found that the internal disciplinary committee has acted incorrectly in treating it as a minor incident. The third inquiry found that "there is a prima facie case in respect of misconduct to be answered" with regards to a lecturer who assisted a student to cheat. The governing body subsequently launched an unprecedented external investigation, hiring outside independent experts. The terms of reference of the inquiry included establishing if the matter was "suppressed, concealed or covered up" by staff within the institute. These terms reflect the belief that the allegation of cheating only came to light because of the persistence of a junior, short-term contract lecturer, in the face of opposition from management and staff, to continue raising the issue of standards of education in the institute. The junior lecturer did not, I understand, have her short-term contract renewed.

All of this has been reported in the local and national press. The inquiry was not expected to last this long but is now in its third year. Most of the costs of the inquiry relate to legal advice. The sum now amounts to something short of €400,000 and is still rising. The costs are a concern as the inquiry now appears to be dragging on over three years and potential legal challenges are coming from the parties involved. These costs must be seen in the context of severe cuts to the institution imposed by this and previous Governments while student numbers have increased. In a written response to other Galway Deputies, the Minister indicated his reluctance to intervene in the matter given that it involves an independent institute. The Minister stated these events and allegations are a matter for the institute, its management, for it as an authority and for its academic council. That may be the case but, given the protracted nature of the inquiry and its ever rising costs, the Minister is cognisant of concerns such as the prudential spending of scarce public moneys that must be provided to the institute and, most important, the potential damage to the academic reputation of the institution. It is a vital part of my county and the west's resources as a contributor to the economy and society.

Will the Minister responsible for education use whatever influence he has to press for immediate closure on an investigation that has cost nearly €400,000 to date? Will he use his influence to ensure the institution takes whatever action is necessary to report as quickly as possible? The investigation has gone on for three years. It is time for closure and to improve the reputational damage caused to GMIT.

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