Expert bought patents he was hired to value, PAC hears

AN expert employed to value the patents left over from the collapse of Media Lab was then allowed to buy them, the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee yesterday heard.

PAC member Dan Boyle expressed surprise as he confronted Government officials over the turn of events.

Irish taxpayers were left with a €35 million bill when the hi-tech Media Lab Europe venture went under in January 2005.