Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The LSRA not empowered under the Act to go in the direction it sees fit. The Higher Education Authority is empowered to take a direction and all aspects of education and training would not necessarily be at the Minister's discretion. Within the LSRA's 11 key functions are many references to research, recommendations and reports to Ministers, but very little on the LSRA's own discretion on matters, which leads me to query the quality of the board's independence. If the LSRA refers everything to someone who has a de facto veto in every aspect, will this be an issue? Within the 11 key functions, many references to the Minister are made. What is the thinking of the witnesses on this? Is it a matter of concern? Is it a matter they would like to see addressed in the future legislative context? Are the witnesses happy with the quality of their independence in terms of the current legislative basis? Would they like to see anything looked at in future? They are now before an Oireachtas committee and we want to hear about it. It has been a slow process during the first two years. The LSRA found it difficult to get up and running. It started with two staff. It has not set up the complaints process yet, obviously the costs issue is still ongoing, and it has to refer to the Minister with regard to education and training. Are there legislative roadblocks in its current workings? What would the witnesses like to see changed to give the LSRA greater discretion to act according to its functions?