In 2012, I was made aware of allegations of improper payments of expenses at the University of Limerick. At the time I sent the information to the Committee of Public Accounts for review and for the committee to investigate the matter further. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, who is sitting beside the Tánaiste will be aware that recently the Limerick Leader reported on similar allegations being made by other whistleblowers, former employees of the University of Limerick.

A number of issues arise. First, there appears to be a conflict between the protected disclosures legislation and confidentiality agreements which the University of Limerick has with some former employees who are now whistleblowers. The University of Limerick has now issued High Court proceedings against the Limerick Leader and also personally against the editor of the newspaper, Mr. Alan English. That is a very serious development because a State-funded university is using State funding to issue proceedings to gag the media, as I perceive it, on a serious issue of public interest.

I have spoken to a number of the whistleblowers and I am aware of the allegations. It is an issue which merits proper discussion, scrutiny and investigation in this House. A proposal has been made to introduce the university (amendment) Bill. There is now a conflict between the protected disclosures legislation and confidentiality agreements. We must find out in the public interest whether there is a serious issue at stake, as many allege. One could say that given that so many whistleblowers have come forward to the Limerick Leader they cannot all be wrong. The issue merits serious scrutiny either through the Higher Education Authority, the Garda or whatever other appropriate agency. I would welcome a comment on the matter.

I do not know whether the matter is in order.

The University of Limerick is a very fine institution and it has provided first-class educational and development services to students, not only from Limerick but from the entire country. It is rightly recognised as one of our most outstanding third level institutions. It is important to say that about the university, which I have had the privilege of visiting on many occasions.

I agree.

In my experience as a former member of the Committee of Public Accounts, the remit would properly lie with it.

I am quite sure that were the Deputy to bring this matter to the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, Deputy McGuinness, it should be possible, given the urgency the Deputy attaches to the statement he has just made, for the Chairman perhaps to schedule hearings of that committee on the matters raised by the Deputy. I do not wish to comment on any court proceedings as obviously they are a matter for the court. I have been in the University of Limerick many times and know many people who work work and many people who have studied there. As a representative of Limerick and the region, it is important the Deputy acknowledges it is a fine university. If there are issues to be addressed of the kind mentioned by the Deputy, ultimately, it is for the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Committee of Public Accounts. Were the Deputy to approach the Chairman of that committee and explain the urgency of the matter he has raised, the Chairman might be able to facilitate him.