Mr. Tom Boland:

I assure the Deputy that the situation in Waterford Institute of Technology has reminded all institutes of technology of their responsibilities across a range of issues. It has also led us to review how well the code of governance and other regulatory regimes are working. We did that shortly after the last meeting of the committee. The board of the Higher Education Authority has asked the executive to review the entire governance and regulatory arrangement between the authority and the entire system - not just the institutes of technology - having regard to issues like academic freedom and institutional autonomy. To some extent, this has been prompted by the situation in Waterford. It has also been prompted by the significant change in the Higher Education Authority's mandate with regard to the higher education sector. The executive has been asked to review what that relationship should be and whether the authority would recommend to the Minister any legislative changes with regard to our regulatory function. That work is in train. As chief executive, I have given a commitment to report to the board on that matter early in the new year. It arises from elements of what has happened in Waterford and, more broadly, from the new mandate of the Higher Education Authority.