Scandal-hit UL going ahead with erection of bust of former tánaiste despite criticism

Willie O’Dea says plan ‘out of kilter’ with recent events

The University of Limerick is to erect a bust of former tánaiste Mary Harney to mark her leadership of the institution over the past five years, the college has confirmed.

Former minister Willie O’Dea, who lectured at UL for four years before entering politics, said the erection of busts of former chancellors should be “paused”, given the university is currently mired in controversy.

Mr O’Dea said: “It would be wise to pause this practice now. It is out of kilter with the situation at UL and this busts idea would send out a strange signal to students, potential students and the wider public.”

The university is currently the subject of scrutiny over a decision to pay €11.44m for 20 homes near its campus. A stamp duty bill brings the total cost to €12.56m – or €630,000 per home.

Similar homes nearby typically sell for half this price and a value-for-money exercise found UL overpaid for the properties by about €5.2m.

Students were moved into the homes last year despite UL not having planning permission to do so. The planning issue is currently the subject of a review by An Bord Pleanála.

UL apologised for the controversy at a meeting with the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday.

A review of the purchase by Niamh O’Donoghue, a former secretary general at the Department of Social Protection, found legitimate questions raised in advance of the deal were undermined and ignored.

It found the acquisition was approved without a full awareness of risks being presented to key decision-makers.

A separate report carried out for the Higher Education Authority found UL ignored a cheaper alternative proposal which would have delivered more student bed spaces.

A UL spokesman said a top artist is to be commissioned by UL to cast the metal bust structure in honour of Ms Harney, but refused to say how much it will cost, only that the money will come from college funds.

The college spokesman said: “It is a noted practice in institutions throughout the world and will leave a legacy for generations to come of those who helped to shape and build the environment they occupy.”

The curator of UL, according to the spokesman, will draw up a list of the artists and their previous experience with this art form.

The reputation of the artist with regards to their work with similar projects and the reputation of the artist with this medium of art will be considered.

The selected artist will be expected to have examples of their previous past commissions.

He added: “This creates a selected short list for the former chancellor, who will make the final choice with the help of the Curator of the university, if required. All the busts are uniform in terms of material and dimension.”

When asked what the bust of Ms Harney will cost, the spokesperson replied: “The cost is commercially sensitive.”

He said the original idea for busts came from founding UL president Dr Ed Walsh and the late John O’Connor, president emeritus.