Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I am trying to do here with the number of 17 is that we have been a long time in arriving at a composition. If I alter one part of the composition, it will have knock-on effects for all the other components. I would say here, to the USI and to the student voice in general, that at the moment they are under the provisions of the Universities Act. There are three to four members of the student body on governing authorities of up to 40 people. Proportionately, while there were three or four out of 40, there will now be two out of 17. Therefore, the weight of influence that the student voice will have on the governing authority has truthfully and factorially increased as a proportion of the overall body.

However, I do not want to be in any way disingenuous. I know that the USI and others would prefer three members. They have conveyed that view to me. However, the rationale behind two is contained within the overall composition of the Bill.