Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be helpful, essentially it is an employer-employee relationship issue. I am conscious of this, but I did say publicly that I would become involved to try to facilitate an outcome that would be satisfactory to all parties. The Secretary General has met the president of the university and I did emphasise the word "any". They are going to look at opportunities, but at the end of the day, we cannot force people to go into something in which they will not be happy. That would not yield an outcome that would be desirable. I acknowledge the Deputy's points about the service both individuals have provided. I am very conscious of this, but I am also conscious of my role not to become directly involved. I am confident that when the president and my officials sit down and the two individuals at the heart of the issue, there will be opportunities presented to them to find a solution. Without pre-empting the outcome, I take the Deputy's offer at face value to meet them. At this stage it might be a little early for me to do so because I am confident that the parties and the employee-employer relationship will be protected in finding a solution. I am confident that they will find a solution with which both individuals will be happy. I will certainly be happy to meet them after a solution is found.

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