Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important to make that clear because I know that is causing concern. If we can take as many of those things off the table as we can then we are likely to end up with a better Bill.

One of the general functions of the Bill is to "secure and evidence value-for-money from Exchequer investment in higher education". Deciding on what is and what is not value for money is often difficult to discern. In the 1980s, for example, when we were spending scarce Exchequer resources on higher education only for many graduates to emigrate, it could have been argued that this did not represent value for money but it laid the groundwork for attracting inward investment.

Essentially, these can be quite complex and highly political decisions. While we all want full accountability, there is a huge difference between mismanagement of funds and deciding what is and what is not worthwhile investment. Are the witnesses comfortable that the Bill provides enough clarity on what constitutes value for money? Are they clear on who makes the judgment between the HEA and the Department on this? Perhaps I can get an answer to that before I ask my next question.