Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In 2012, I was made aware of allegations of improper payments of expenses at the University of Limerick. At the time I sent the information to the Committee of Public Accounts for review and for the committee to investigate the matter further. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, who is sitting beside the Tánaiste will be aware that recently the Limerick Leaderreported on similar allegations being made by other whistleblowers, former employees of the University of Limerick.

A number of issues arise. First, there appears to be a conflict between the protected disclosures legislation and confidentiality agreements which the University of Limerick has with some former employees who are now whistleblowers. The University of Limerick has now issued High Court proceedings against the Limerick Leader and also personally against the editor of the newspaper, Mr. Alan English. That is a very serious development because a State-funded university is using State funding to issue proceedings to gag the media, as I perceive it, on a serious issue of public interest.

I have spoken to a number of the whistleblowers and I am aware of the allegations. It is an issue which merits proper discussion, scrutiny and investigation in this House. A proposal has been made to introduce the university (amendment) Bill. There is now a conflict between the protected disclosures legislation and confidentiality agreements. We must find out in the public interest whether there is a serious issue at stake, as many allege. One could say that given that so many whistleblowers have come forward to the Limerick Leaderthey cannot all be wrong. The issue merits serious scrutiny either through the Higher Education Authority, the Garda or whatever other appropriate agency. I would welcome a comment on the matter.

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