Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Ms Austick on her election as USI president. I echo the issue she raised on student representation in the National College of Art and Design. It is an outlier. I say that because my sister is a former president of NCADSU and has raised the matter with me directly.

My first question is on academic freedom. I raise this matter in the context of issues referred to by Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, namely, the importance we afford to allowing evidence-based research to be freely disseminated and discussed. What action should be taken where tenured academics abuse tenure and are responsible for spreading misinformation or disinformation? Ms Donegan and Ms Dolan might wish to comment on that, but I would ask Ms Austick to comment on it from a learner's perspective. What action should we take where there is an academic who is not performing up to standard? I will not ask in the context of specific instances although it is known that there are cases of academics who are abusing their position and tenure.

How do the witnesses see the balance between the role of the HEA as a regulator - and the sanctions it may be able to apply where a university does not achieve particular results or the rewards it can offer - and its advocacy or developmental role?