Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 143:

In page 61, line 13, to delete “The remedial” and substitute “Subject to subsection (4), the remedial”.

Amendments Nos. 143 and 144 provide that the approval of the board is required before a remedial or other measure referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) of subsection (3) may be imposed on a designated institution of higher education. As I outlined earlier, the requirement for board approval in these cases takes into account reputational aspects for designated institutions. The measures are the admonishment and censure in writing of the institution, the requirement for members of the governing body or members of staff of the institution to undertake a course of training on matters related to governance, or the review of the strategic development plan of the institution. This adds the requirement for the approval of the HEA board rather than unilateral action of the CEO.

Amendment No. 145 is in the name of Deputies Ó Ríordáin and Conway-Walsh. It proposes to introduce a provision for the appeal of the imposition of a remedial measure and a stay on the imposition of a remedial measure if the appeal is made pending the determination or discontinuance of the appeal. Section 65(4) of the Bill provides for an appeal of the imposition of the remedial measure. Amendment No. 141 addresses the same issue, of proposing to put a stay on the coming into operation of a remedial measure if an appeal is made, pending the determination. In English, I believe amendment No. 141, which we discussed, has addressed what the Deputies are trying to do in amendment No. 145. Amendments Nos. 143 and 144 are about a greater role for the HEA board, in the interests of recognising the importance of the reputation of the institution.