Chair of the Financial Services Ombudsman Council received PhD from US ‘degree mill’

The chair of the Financial Services Ombudsman Council reportedly obtained a doctorate from a US university known for selling qualifications.

Reports this morning said Dr Con Power had obtained a PhD from Pacific Western University, which is regarded as a so-called "degree mill".

Dr Power was the first chairman of the National Roads Authority, and was seconded to the Dept of the Taoiseach as a project lead.

This morning's reports said he was insisting that his PhD was legally awarded on the basis of many years of research and publications.

The latest revelation follows the recent removal of Barry McSweeney as the Government's chief science adviser following the news that his PhD was also obtained from Pacific Western University.

This article was edited on Aug 30, 2024 to correct the description of Dr Power's role with the Dept of the Taoiseach, and to include a link to a letter from him that was published by the Irish Examiner at the time.