Results 12,781-12,800 of 21,499 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: That would have been a really simple thing to tell me, rather than doing a grand tour like that. This individual left, having almost reached 60 years of age and is now back as a consultant. He or she received a severance package, which was one of two severance packages which were not in compliance with the rules and regulations. Is that right?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: Of course, the university should have done so, should it not?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: No. The rules are the rules; there is no "our view" and "its view". The university should have sought approval for that. Does Mr. Field accept that now?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: That point is fairly made. I am simply establishing that the university should have sought that approval. The financial controller - the position we are now discussing - was running things when these controversies arose. He or she exited the employment of UL and received a severance payment. What was the order of that severance payment? Is Mr. Field in a position to tell us that?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: I ask Mr. Field to disclose it again.

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: The severance payment was between €220,000 and €230,000. Then the same person re-enters UL and still works there in a consultancy capacity. Is that right?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: How long was that person working in a consultancy capacity?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: Three years, from what date to what date?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thank Mr. Field for helping me with my mathematics. I can add. Let us compare and contrast the experiences here. Person A comes forward, gets sick-----

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: That was certainly the impression given.

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: His exiting of the organisation coincides with the kicking off of a lot of the investigative procedures and so on around the complainants. Is that not so?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: He had retired at that time. I just think it is interesting if one looks at the sequence of what happened next and I am struck by the contrast. I presume the financial controller was the direct line manager for these staff, for persons A, B and C. Is that right?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: Who was?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: What would the financial controller's role have been and what would have been his interaction with persons A, B or C?

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: I would have thought that the financial controller, notwithstanding a layer in between, is the person in charge - the authority figure.

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: Okay, so the boss winds up exiting with a very generous severance package. The whistleblower ends up unwell and not working for the university. The other two whistleblowers are engaged in a protracted dispute process with the university and the Department. This is very troubling.

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: I would like the witnesses to explain to us in more detail the settlement the university made with Revenue in respect of the sabbatical policy. What was that all about? Was UL making a habit of paying for peoples' spouses, for their travel expenses, accommodation and so forth? How did that bill work up? Was it a liability in terms of benefit-in-kind? I would like more information on that.

Public Accounts Committee: University of Limerick: Financial Statements 2014-2015 (30 Mar 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: It was their mistake so they paid it.

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: Today, the future of policing and justice in the State is at a crossroads. Public confidence in the management of An Garda Síochána has been shattered by scandal after scandal and there is a flagrant lack of accountability and a detached arrogance among the top brass. The extent of the damage done to the Garda cannot be overestimated - it is immense. This issue is bigger than...

Leaders' Questions (4 Apr 2017)

Mary Lou McDonald: No review or inquiry, no matter how robust or comprehensive, will be successful in addressing the dysfunctionality at the heart of the Garda while Nóirín O'Sullivan remains in office. It is as simple and clear cut as that. She has presided over a litany of catastrophes and her position is untenable. In no other walk of life would this be a matter for debate. The Commissioner...