Vol. 437 No. 6
36 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if the report on alleged misappropriation of public funds at Letterkenny Regional Technical College, County Donegal, has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
72 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if she has received the report sought from the Director of Letterkenny Regional Technical College regarding allegations of misappropriation of public funds which the Minister of State at her Department told Dáil Éireann on 18 November 1993, had been requested as a matter of urgency; if it is intended to publish the report; the further steps, if any, she intends to take regarding serious allegations made by the student union regarding improper conduct of the college's affairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 72 together.
Because of my concern about the overall operation of the regional technical college in Letterkenny I have decided to appoint an inspector under section 20 of the Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992 to examine and report to me on the operation of the college. Details will be announced later today.
Deputies will already be aware that I have applied for a judicial review of the proposed appointment of a senior officer in the college and that other investigations are also under way.
In the circumstances I do not propose to comment further on the matter at this stage except to say that I will arrange to publish the report of the inspector.
That is very slow.
As Deputy Molloy said action in that regard has been very slow. Does the Minister recall that in early October, four months ago, the Union of Students in Ireland and in particular Letterkenny Regional Technical College Students' Union, gave the Minister specific information in relation to the ugly harassment of students and that the private commercial interests of the chairman of the governing body seemed to influence, if not dictate, college policy.
I advise the Deputy that Members should not comment on, criticise or make charges against persons outside the House.
I have not named the person.
I ask the Deputy to refrain from commenting in that fashion.
I referred to the chairman of the governing body.
I ask the Deputy not to refer to a particular person.
Is the Minister aware that the students' union transferred their disco, which was held weekly, from the Golden Grill emporium in Letterkenny to another establishment.
The Deputy is again pointing his finger at individuals outside the House.
The Deputy is referring to a premises.
I will make that decision.
I am referring to a wellknown entertainment emporium——
A venue for Fianna Fáil meetings.
——the director of which is a son of the chairman of the governing body of the regional technical college.
If the Deputy continues along these lines I will call Question No. 37 in the name of Deputy Keogh. The Deputy should remain within the confines of the rules.
I am looking for facts. I am quite entitled to name the person involved but I will not do so.
You will not do so here.
Is the Minister aware that the proprietor in question, obviously having been given access to the data base of the college, wrote to all second and third year students? Is she aware that, as a result, the governing body withheld the capitation and allowances which should have been given to the students' union to enable them to run the student support services? That was four months ago and the matter was raised in this House on 18 November.
A question, please.
On that occasion the Minister promised an investigation and a report on the matter. Why is she dragging her feet?
It is because I am concerned about matters in Letterkenny that I feel obliged to appoint an inspector under section 20 of the Regional Technical Colleges Act. In the terms of reference there is a reference to the difficulties being experienced in the working relationships between the governing body and officers of the students' union. All matters of concern here come within the ambit of the inspector. The terms of reference refer to the judicial procedures and state: "provided the inspector shall not inquire into or report on matters which are the subject of these judicial procedures entitled The Minister for Education (applicant) and the Regional Technical College, Letterkenny (Respondent) and Colin Marrow (notice party) — reference No. 346/93". As I said, there are matters under judicial review and those referred to by the Deputy come within the ambit of the inspector. Today I asked Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien to be the inspector for this investigation. I promise to publish the report and I will be prepared to come back here to discuss the matter.
What happened to the report referred to in the House on 18 November?
I have correspondence which could be described as letters rather than a report. While waiting for a report on the matter I believe I should ask an inspector to examine the various matters.
I trust that——
We cannot hear a question from Deputy McDaid because these are priority questions.
——Deputy Higgins will have the courage to make an apology when he learns the facts of the matter.
