Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Student union members are elected to office by their peers and are autonomous in that sense. However, it is not unreasonable that student unions, in interacting with a technological university, should be recognised by the technological university. This makes practical sense as otherwise there could be a multitude of fragmented and sectional representative bodies of individuals seeking to advance particular issues. The successful interaction of the student representative body with the technological university will be based on mutual co-operation to achieve the resolution of any particular issues.

In seeking to amend the definition of student union to include reference to an independent body, the definition in Deputy Catherine Martin's amendment does not reference accountability for funding channelled to that body. There must be an appropriate balance between autonomy and accountability. Officials from the Department of Education and Skills have had initial discussions with USI regarding the potential development of a framework for student unions. Work carried out in Scotland has been highlighted as a possible model. I cannot accept Deputy Martin's definition of a student union because the current definition also includes the reference to other student representative bodies, which ensures the possibility of there being more than one student representative body being provided for. In terms of that proposed amendment, the definition relates to the independence of the student union but does not reference accountability, as I have said. There must be appropriate accountability. My officials have had the discussions with USI. They are trying to produce a framework that is acceptable for students.

I cannot accept amendment No. 6 in the name of Deputy Funchion. We are providing a technical definition to ensure clarity in the context of issues relating to representation. The current definition does include the reference to other student representative bodies. As I have said, that ensures that the possibility of there being more than one student representative body is provided for.

4 o’clock

In terms of the proposed amendment, the definition relates to the independence of the students' union but does not refer to accountability. We cannot accept amendments Nos. 5 or 6.

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