Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is especially good to see some former work colleagues but that may mean I might herd all the sacred cows into the centre of the room to ask some of the questions. One of the crucial issues will be the relationship between the Department, especially the new Department, and the Higher Education Authority and how that will operate. I will ask Ms Kenny and Mr. Conlon, in light of the legislation, to talk about where the boundaries will be. I will also ask them to talk about the relationships with the higher education institutions, especially if the HEA is to take on a more regulatory role. What level of sanction may be appropriate and when is it envisaged that would be applied?

I will put a question to Mr. Maguire.

QQI has been doing a lot of work around micro-credentials, and particularly because of the pace of technological change, we are going to see many more micro-credentials and short courses and many more providers other than the traditional providers. In the witnesses' experience, from where will they see all those being regulated?