An independent inquiry into an exam cheating case at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) has been completed.
The inquiry, by the former High Court judge, Mr Rory O'Hanlon, was into how the son of a department head had access to model answers for last year's summer exam papers before sitting the exams.
Mr O'Hanlon interviewed Mr Gerry O'Loughlin, head of the School of the Built Environment at the institute, and his son, Cormac O'Loughlin, a second-year student.
The student told Mr O'Hanlon that he entered his father's office while it was unoccupied, removed the exam papers and model answers and photocopied them before returning them unnoticed.
Cormac O'Loughlin's evidence was that he memorised multiple mathematical calculations and "masses of figures" from the model answers. His father, corroborating that evidence, said: "Well, you can take it from me that Cormac has a great memory," according to the report.
Mr O'Loughlin snr, speaking from his home yesterday, had no comment to make other than that he was dealing with his solicitors. His son was unavailable for comment.
The college said yesterday that when it completes its consideration of the report it will take whatever further action is appropriate.
"The institute is processing the report in accordance with the principles of natural justice and due process of consultation," it said.
The case was originally brought to light in June 2000 by two lecturers in the School of the Built Environment, Mr Peter Ronan and Mr Michael O'Connor who, independently, noticed that answers on the Construction Studies student's scripts closely resembled model answers. The student was subsequently suspended and will not be allowed to repeat his second-year exams until May 2002.
Mr O'Hanlon was appointed to carry out an inquiry by the college after a threat of industrial action by the Teachers' Union of Ireland which claimed there was a lack of management support for their members.
A Department of Education spokesman said matters relating to exams were a statutory function of the management and governing body of LIT under the Regional Technical College Acts. The Minister has the power to appoint an inspector to examine the issue under Section 20 of the Regional Technical Colleges Act.
The Minister of State for education, Mr Willie O'Dea, has described the report as dramatic and pointed. "I want to know what action is going to be taken on foot of the conclusion," he said.
While he could see the value of independence for the institutes of technology, he could also see the value of the Department being able to intervene directly at times.
"If the rules are being applied differently and if there is something sinister going on in relation to the examinations or any one of them," he said, "I think the Department should have much more substantial power to intervene than they appear to have at present."
Under the RTC Acts the Minister has the power to appoint an inspector or a Department official, and the Oireachtas has the power to examine issues regarding the institutes of technology by appointing a Dail sub-committee.
The LIT is overseen by a 20member governing body, which is appointed for five years mostly from the Vocational Education Committee, apart from four members who are elected by college staff and the student body. The director is Mr J.P. MacDonagh, who reports to the governing body.
In his report Mr O'Hanlon recommended that model answers need not be put into circulation until the exams have taken place.
He added: "I would like to see absolute confidence restored in the relations between the administrative and educational personnel of the institute as I have not experienced anything other than anxiety on both sides to bring this unfortunate episode in the history of the institute to a fair and proper and speedy conclusion."