Similarities between UL purchases 'remarkable', PAC told

The acting president of the University of Limerick (UL) has conceded that the similarities between two controversial property purchases which cost the taxpayer millions were "remarkable and stark".

Professor Shane Kilcommins told the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) that the total loss for the two deals was €8.269 million.

But he insisted that UL has worked diligently to "regain institutional grip, and to rebuild trust and confidence".

Chancellor Professor Brigid Laffan said that the deals "did not occur in a vacuum".

How the same errors were made in both cases is "not an easy question" to answer, she added.

Along with structural reforms, she said that "there is a need for deep rooted cultural change starting at the top".

"Any further lapses in governance would be utterly disastrous for UL's recovery."

Prof Laffan said that she wanted "a strong approach to accountability" along with "zero tolerance for policy deviation and for actions that cause the university reputational damage".

UL were last before PAC just five months ago.

The Comptroller and Auditor General also noted ongoing concerns over the two deals.

"A key concern is that - more than five years on - the university remains without a clear development and funding plan for the Honan's Quay property," Seamus McCarthy said.

He also warned that, in the case of the Rhebogue purchase, "the change of use to student accommodation without planning permission may represent an unauthorised development," noting that the matter had not been resolved when he completed his report.

The C&AG also revealed that he was still waiting for final accounts from the university.

Seamus McCarthy said that "it is regrettable that the audited financial statements for the 2022-23 year of account are not yet available for the committee".