Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I discussed this matter with the Minister of State's officials. I forgot about those amendments. They are not to change the criteria but, rather, to consider the internationalisation of the advisory body and ensure that there would be two international suggestions from the HEA and QQI. As I should have said earlier, that will hopefully satisfy some of those with concerns about eligibility. The eligibility criteria are very strong but the more the process is internationalised, the more seriously people will take it and the more respect the institutions will attract, which is what universities are all about.