Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the Galway situation, I have made my concerns very clear regarding the shortcomings identified by the Equality Tribunal, specifically in the case of Dr. Sheehy Skeffington. The fact that NUI Galway unreservedly accepted this and established a task force is to be welcomed. I have again stated clearly that the task force needs to have the confidence of people in NUI Galway and the body of the university. I have urged NUI Galway to make every effort to ensure it has this confidence. I have already stated these views.

There is no doubt that higher education in Ireland has not promoted women in a way that would be expected in terms of the general population and the number of women academics. The fact that an Irish woman was recently given the most senior job in Oxford is an indication there is nothing wrong with Irish women's ability to have high office in universities. I strongly support the carrying out of the review. I have not seen the terms of reference. I have detail on what is intended to be done by the review team, but I have not seen the specific terms of reference. I am not certain whether they have been specifically drafted - I will check - but I have been given an indication of what they will be doing.

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