Dáil debates

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Higher Education Authority Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages

 

6:02 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 43:

In page 35, line 37, to delete “in consultation” and substitute “following engagement” .

I will first speak to my amendments in this group, amendments Nos. 43 and 46, which I have tabled in an attempt to respond to amendments from Opposition colleagues; namely, amendments Nos. 44, 45, 47 and 48. This is the debate around consultation, partnership and engagement. It is about how strong a wording we can put in. Amendments Nos. 43 and 46, in my name, delete the term "in consultation" and replace it with a phrase that we believe to be stronger, which is "following engagement". I believe that this better reflects the policy intent of co-operation between the HEA and designated institutions of higher education in the development of performance agreements. This is my suggestion as to how we would strengthen "in consultation". I propose, therefore, the deletion of "in consultation" and its replacement with "following engagement". I believe, therefore, that I have addressed the issues in amendments Nos. 44 and 45. They have been addressed by my amendment No. 43.

I note the debate around the word "partnership". I believe there is a preference from some colleagues for the use of the word "partnership or "collaboration", but we need to get the balance right with regard to the HEA's obligations. It is very clear that these things need to be done following engagement, and that people need to be consulted, but we also need to respect the role the HEA must play. I believe that the most appropriate phrase, following a significant amount of consideration and debate, is "following engagement". This is a stronger phrase than the phrase we had earlier, and it better reflects the policy and intent of the Bill.

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