Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 5 December 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Universities Act 1997 (Section 54(3)) (University Authorisation) Order 2019: Motion

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

I thank the Chair.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the committee today, and for considering this matter. It is something I have been discussing with her for a number of years, and I am glad to see this coming to fruition in the Dail. While the RCSI was founded by charter in 1784, we do not do royal charters in this country anymore. We have a democratic process in the Houses of the Oireachtas, and that is something worth reflecting on. We are here granting the status if that is what the Oireachtas wishes to do on the Minister of State's recommendation. On behalf of Fianna Fáil, I fully support her proposal in this regard.

Like a number of members of this committee of all parties, I have visited the RCSI in the recent past. It is a wonderful institution in the heart of Dublin, which operates, in a quiet manner in some respects, but in the same way in terms of mission, of fees, and of quality assurance as the other universities in this State. On that basis and on the basis of the considerations of the Minister of State, it deserves its status. The country is lucky to have an institution of the calibre of the RCSI serving our students, and international students, while also being at the cutting edge of medical technology, research and medical training.

When we visited the RCSI, we saw what was on offer there in terms of medical training. As someone who is not medically qualified, it was fabulous to see the facilities, and the thought and research that goes into providing the training for doctors. One can only assume that through institutions such as the RCSI and other third level institutions, the country will be a better place for it. The university designation is, in some respects, honorific, but, in others, it has status and, unquestionably the RCSI deserves, and is entitled, to have the status of university. It is an honour for the country as well to have the RCSI.

It is worth acknowledging that the physical location of the college played a very big part in the 1916 Rising. Countess Markievicz was there. Phillip Clarke, who was born eight miles from where I live was killed on the steps of the college in 1916, and every year I remember him in Slane together with his relations. The RCSI is doing its job now for its students and for the country, and it is welcome that this has happened. It has taken time; as the Minister of State said, it is not a status that is easily granted, as this does not happen automatically. Unlike in America, a university simply cannot be opened. It is not the case here, as in the UK 20, 30 years ago that a raft of colleges can be instantly turned into universities without any consideration. There is a process to go through, and that process has been gone through and I fully believe that RCSI has demonstrated that it is entitled to the designation of university and I certainly hope that members will support that.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.