Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to the House. Obviously, my preference would have been to have the Minister for Education and Skills respond to my query. However, it is appropriate in one sense that the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, is here because issues such as good governance in terms of the spending of taxpayers money is at the core of this matter and, in particular, the regular flow of correspondence to the Department by a former member of County Cork VEC, on whose behalf I raise this issue.
I was a member of County Cork VEC for a brief time in 1990 and as such I am very much aware of the drive, commitment and enthusiasm of the staff there. The former member of County Cork VEC on whose behalf I raise this issue, while as committed as any other member, past or current, of that VEC, has serious concerns about it. By way of an aside, I was surprised to learn of the attempts of the management and membership of County Cork VEC to have this member struck off the committee. I understand they even wrote to the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, requesting that he be dismissed from the board. I found that quite disturbing, although that is not the subject of my query today. Fortunately, the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, did not accede to the request.
The correspondence which issued to the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, and to the current Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, raises fundamental questions regarding the spending of taxpayers' money and the decision-making process. We are all aware of the phrase "the independent republic of Cork". However, even within that independent republic of Cork normal rules and regulations, in terms of the management and governance of an entity such as the former VEC, must pertain. Questions have been raised about leasing arrangements. It is almost two decades since I was a member of the committee of that VEC and so I am not an expert on its internal structures. However, I am advised that up to 20 unusual leases appear to have been entered into, which is the subject of some of the concerns raised by the gentleman who has been in contact with me. He was so concerned that he brought this matter to the attention of the Committee of Public Accounts. I am advised that a previous Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills, Ms McManus, appeared before that committee and responded to some degree to the concerns raised. The matter is now with the Comptroller and Auditor General. I am advised that a report will be made available in the near future. I understand the Department of Education and Skills has a certain timeframe to reflect on the matter.
It is not too often that a body such as the former VEC has its business examined in the first instance by the Committee of Public Accounts and second by the Comptroller and Auditor General. That this is happening shows the serious nature of the situation. The Irish Examiner has been to the fore in highlighting many of the queries raised. One of its reporters has carried out serious investigative work in this regard. It is not in any of our interests to attack the officials, past or current, of the VEC. However, we must ensure that governance is appropriate and that taxpayers' money is spent in a legal manner and that all is above board. The evidence presented to me would seem to suggest that there are serious doubts about some of the decisions made by the former VEC, particularly in relation to the 20 plus leases mentioned.
I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, to ensure that the Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, takes this matter seriously. She is in the fortunate position of being Minister for Education and Skills for only a few months and cannot be held responsible for earlier decisions or omissions.

Now that the file is on her desk she must take the matter very seriously and fully investigate the questions brought to her attention.

An interim reply and then a slightly more substantive reply issued from the Department in early November but it does not answer any of the questions raised by the complainant. Reference is made to the vocational support services unit. The Department advised that the terms of reference for sale have been agreed but I am advised that they have not been agreed. I would like the Minister to comment on that. There are significant issues which must be aired fully. I look forward to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. Our country has been littered with the politics of sweeping matters under the carpet, something we must bring to a conclusion. It is in everybody's interest that this matter is fully examined under the full spotlight of all the appropriate State agencies to enable us to assure taxpayers that money is being spent in an appropriate fashion and that any inappropriate decisions are fully examined any a full response is given.