Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

It is important to point out that there was a significant consultation process before the legislation was drafted. Universities, many entities within universities and many other groups and individuals responded during that consultation process. I agree with the Senator that such consultation should be ongoing. If there are internal governance institutions within particular institutions in which the opinions and wisdom of front-line staff are not sought or valued, that is an issue for the institution in question. There is a provision within the legislation for the new authority to develop procedures with institutions to ensure the relevant arms of each body are consulted. If we are to stand over the quality assurance procedures in each institution, we must ensure those procedures have a strong consultative process built into them. We will seek to have that consultation with institutions on an ongoing basis.