Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope amendment No. 162 addresses the Deputy's concern. The current wording of section 34(1) of the Universities Act 1997 provides that the strategic development plan is prepared by the chief officer and approved by the governing authority. The wording in the Bill provides that the governing authority shall, “for the purposes of preparing a strategic development plan under this section, consult with" certain persons or bodies. The amendment provides that the governing authority shall, “before approving a strategic development plan under this section, be satisfied that the chief officer has for the purposes of preparing the plan consulted with” certain persons or bodies. This amendment reflects the responsibility of the chief officer to prepare the strategic development plan and the responsibility of the governing authority to approve the plan.

I cannot accept amendment No. 161 as I think this proposed amendment is covered by amendment No. 162.