John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have read over the minutes of the meeting at which this was raised. My experience of this case informs me that the Committee of Public Accounts was grossly misled, perhaps deliberately. I can say as much from my experience of the case and from reading the minutes.

The vice president of this particular institution is responsible for finance and human resources. He acknowledges receipt of a protected disclosure. He suggested ways and means of dealing with the protected disclosure. He made no effort whatsoever to protect the individual involved. As a result, the person has had no income since 2014. That is not the way to do business and it is certainly not the way to put information before the Committee of Public Accounts.

I have looked down through the minutes. Many statements are incorrect and misleading. There is an onus now on the Department to accept the disclosure made in 2012 and to acknowledge that it happened. I have it before me in writing. The Department should take the necessary steps to compensate the person concerned and to deal with the issues raised. They were raised by someone who has experience in governance and good practice and who was a decent employee of the college. Yet, that person is being blackguarded by the same college and by the Department. It is not right and the Minister of State should intervene.

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