Vol. 467 No. 7
214 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education when Price Waterhouse consultants first contacted An Post in relation to the missing craftwork submitted by students from the Ursuline Convent in Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14197/96]
218 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the date on which officials from her Department first contacted An Post regarding the missing craftwork submitted by students from the Ursuline Convent in Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14223/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 218 together.
At the request of Price Waterhouse, my Department, on 21 March 1996, formally requested An Post to assist in tracing a package of craftwork despatched by post from Ursuline College, Sligo. Prior to this formal request, my Department had a number of contacts with An Post, commencing in January 1996, regarding this matter.
I am informed that Price Waterhouse did not make direct contact with An Post.
215 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the name of the company referred to in the Price Waterhouse Report and in a previous reply to a parliamentary question concerning the signing of a receipt for packages containing craftwork submitted by students from the Ursuline Convent in Sligo; the contact, if any, that was made with the company by consultants from Price Waterhouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14198/96]
Price Waterhouse have chosen not to publicly identify the company in question. As Minister I feel that it would be inappropriate for me to so do. If, however, the Deputy wants this information I will be prepared to provide it to him on a confidential basis.
I am informed that Price Waterhouse did not have direct contact with the company in question.
216 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will make available all correspondence between her Department and Price Waterhouse consultants regarding the investigation into errors discovered in the 1996 leaving certificate examination; the circumstances and conditions governing the limited circulation of the Price Waterhouse report; and whether she will place this correspondence in the Oireachtas Library. [14221/96]
As indicated in the report Price Waterhouse corresponded directly with 29 people who were interviewed in the course of the inquiry. Each person interviewed was provided with notes of the interview and was asked to make observations and-or suggest amendments. Copies of correspondence between Price Waterhouse and each interviewee were not made available to me and hence I am not in a position to provide copies to the Oireachtas Library.
Official correspondence between my Department and Price Waterhouse apart from what is contained in the report dealt mainly with fee structures which are of a commercially sensitive nature and as such it would not be appropriate to put it into the public domain.
The report itself contains core letters relating to both publication and the approach of Price Waterhouse in fulfilling the terms of reference.
