Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Before I come back to Senator Mullen, I have a number of questions for the Minister on oversight arrangements. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan raised this issue in respect of third level institutions when he was here. I accept that the Minister has no direct responsibility for the oversight, financial or otherwise, of any university. However, are he and his Department happy with the current arrangements that are in place or would they like to see them strengthened? We have a larger footprint of technological universities. These institutions were established in recent years. I tabled a parliamentary question on this matter about two weeks ago. The reply I received back was that the Minister has no direct responsibility. While it does not sit well and while a number of universities are currently under investigation, what are the Minister's and the Department's views on the current arrangements?