University Challenged

This afternoon the debacle over the disastrous collapse of the Springvale university campus came under the Stormont spotlight as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) grilled representatives from the Department of Education and Learning (DEL).
Back in 1998 then President of the US Bill Clinton, flanked by the political elite of these shores, cut the first sod at the interface site.
Little did he know that the hole he was digging wasn't for the cornerstone of a flagship building to signal the dawning of a new age of peace and prosperity for an area ravaged by the conflict, but a grave for millions upon millions of pounds which the Audit Office termed "waste".
Almost a decade on and the PAC have been trying to figure out where it all went wrong. It comes as no surprise then that they were annoyed that no one from BIFHE, who were supposed to play a key role in the university campus showed up, but DEL Accounting Officer Aideen McGinley was confident she could speak on their behalf.
PAC chair, John O'Dowd said that the failure of the campus resulted from lack of will.
He said that if the University of Ulster were not prepared to take on an on-going deficit they could have went to the political representatives across the spectrum in those areas, who would have lobbied successfully to ensure that the money would have been provided.
"I have no doubt about that," said Mr O'Dowd. "You don't have the President of the Uinted States and the British Prime Minister opening up any old proposal. The commuity were 100 per cent behind it and the political representatives were 100 per cent behind it.
"I have to ask myself the question why did the University not go to the political representatives? In relation to the Department why did they not let anyone know earlier that was the case?"
He said that he had strong suspicions as to why neither the University of Ulster or DEL spoke up earlier but his position as chair prevented him from airing them.
It is likely that after today's Q&A session, and having already spoken to the Audit Office in private last week, the PAC have heard enough to compile their report. Whatever the findings of that report it is likely that the Springfiled Road will have to continue making do with their £4 million further education outreach centre, rather than a £70 million campus.