Results 2,561-2,580 of 8,500 for speaker:John Brady

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: It was presented under AOB at that particular meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: In my view, the proposal that was presented tries to portray that due diligence was carried out on the site. Indeed, underlined and in bold text, it states significant advantages of this over the Opera site are both the potential for future development and the ability to deliver very quickly a fully functioning building. As part of the process in bringing that proposal forward, was an...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: That is fair enough. I am just trying to establish facts.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: I am just trying to establish facts. Was an engineer's report produced in advance of this proposal?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: It is a very straightforward question.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: I am sorry, Mr. O'Connor, but I am conscious of time. I know that subsequently, different engineering reports were produced in late May-----

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: There were some engineering reports. Okay. Again, this report talks about limited early engineering assessment. In my view, that does not constitute an engineer’s report, so there was no proper report produced and presented to the governance authority. I think I would be safe in saying that. Was a business case presented to the governing authority or prepared in advance?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: A limited case. Okay. Was an independent valuation carried out on the site? We know that Limerick City and County Council a number of years previously had put a value of €3 million on the site and we know Dunnes Stores was looking for €10 million for the site. Was an independent valuation carried out in preparation for presenting this to the governing authority?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: I am aware of that. Was an independent valuation carried out by UL before purchasing this site and before presenting the report and looking to spend €8.4 million of taxpayers’ money? Was there an independent valuation?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: Was there an independent valuation carried out by UL?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: In relation to the site itself, it had been until a number of years previously operated by Dunnes Stores and zoned as retail. In terms of the engagement by UL with the local authority on the zoning of the site, what engagement had been carried out with regard to the zoning and what would be necessary in terms of change of use to education? What engagement had been carried out?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: Prior to the decision at that meeting on 5 April 2019, what engagement had been taken?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: For this particular site, where a decision was taken to spend €8.4 million of taxpayers’ money on a site that was zoned for retail, not for educational purposes, civic amenity or anything else, what engagement had there been with the local authority with regard to the zoning of the site and the prospect of having a change from retail purposes to educational? Was there any due...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: On this site.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: Limerick City and County Council had given approval or had stated it was willing to look at changing the zoning of this site, so there was engagement and commitment there from the council. Before the decision was taken by UL to spend over €8 million of taxpayers’ money, a commitment was sought and obtained from the council.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: That will apply retrospectively to the decision being taken.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: It is clear that Professor Mey is in no way culpable for the mistakes of the past, but the attitude adopted here today has been less than helpful or forthcoming. There have been evasive answers to legitimate questions put by members to Professor Mey and her colleagues. I will make one recommendation. I hope the witnesses have the receipts for the media consultants they engaged in...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: One of Arup's conclusions was that the structural frame is unlikely to have been designed to support a further seven to eight storey office building overhead; so a few weeks after that decision was taken, we have clear evidence based on fact that the site was not suitable. The value of the site was based on the potential to develop the existing building. Am I right in saying that?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: We are talking speculatively, okay. I will talk about fact. Professor Mey has said repeatedly that a master plan is being looked at. What does that look like in relation to the structure on site now? Does it envisage demolishing that and a total rebuild?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2021: University of Limerick (18 May 2023)

John Brady: On it being retendered for the third time, the governing authority authorised that in December and the gross cost is estimated at €34 million. The original estimation was €18 million. Is that correct?