Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is clear the RCSI satisfies the criteria to become a university, as set out in the legislation. It had tacit recognition as a college of the National University of Ireland, which, along with the wider public, I represent, and it was recognised abroad as a university. In welcoming the fact that we are moving forward in the implementation of the legislation, I underscore the points made by the Minister of State to the effect that it is not to be done lightly and that it will come with responsibilities. It is important that we are clear that to become a university is not simply a badge of honour but rather comes with additional responsibility, given that we, as a State, will give it the status of a university.

The concerns about international campuses and the campus re-accreditation in Bahrain are valid and need to be examined. Such campuses already use the title of university. In giving the title of university to the entire RCSI, we will not need to separate the two campuses but instead integrate them more closely. In achieving the title of university and holding the title on its four campuses, I hope it will be an opportunity for an intensification of scrutiny and shared responsibility on the four campuses, with joined-up consideration. The Minister of State might comment on those issues and how they will be addressed.

Another responsibility in the important step forward for the RCSI relates to matters such as the Athena SWAN, on which most recognised universities in Ireland are now stepping forward in the advancement of gender equality on their campuses, as a priority in all parts of the organisation of universities. It might be useful to hear to what extent that will be considered. I acknowledge that the RCSI has engaged with a couple of access programmes, including the Traveller access programme, as part of a new focus on research, which I applaud. Nevertheless, I hope there will be a stepping up on the other aspect the Minister of State mentioned, namely, economic, social and cultural advancement. The RCSI engaged on commemorative work on 1916 and in a new set of forums, including an interesting recent lecture on health equality.

The order is a step change, not simply a recognition of the work. With that step change of becoming a university, there will come new opportunities and responsibilities for the RCSI. I am not a voting member of the committee but attend as someone who has great interest in the matter. As the Minister of State will recall, I debated the legislation at length with her. I will not query that now because the legislation has been passed and I look forward to its application. We are looking to the next stage of the debate. We should avoid anomalies in the future. I hope it will not be the case that a college will be considered a university abroad but not here. Unfortunately, in certain parts of the world, including the US, there have been many cases of companies and so on that have presented themselves as universities or colleges, which has had a detrimental effect. It is appropriate that we keep a strong oversight and control over those that are accredited as universities. Given that the pressure point of funding does not apply in this case, the pressure point of standards must be used.

I am a witness to the process rather than a voting member of the committee. I look forward to the RCSI's next chapter and hope it will address the concerns that were raised. I also look forward to the Minister of State's reply.