Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the proposed amendment No. 32 and the objects in section 8, the principles of academic freedom are not a matter for the new agency and not appropriate to the legislation. The Universities Act 1997 protects academic freedom and this is appropriate to the higher education institutions themselves. We absolutely value the principle of academic freedom and it is not appropriate in this proposed legislation.