Sean Barrett (Independent)

I move amendment No. 31:

In page 22, subsection (4)(a), line 23, to delete ", research".

Reference was made to research. We have heard from the Minister of State that it is not a function which this body can exercise because it does not have the expertise in thermodynamics, nuclear science or whatever other area. Research is evaluated by the editors of international journals. The idea that the QQAAI would take on the task raises the problem to which I referred of regulatory creep. How could the QQAAI evaluate the research that is currently evaluated internationally? It does not have the competence so to do.

Research internationally is validated and authenticated by panels of international experts in the world's leading universities. If an article from an Irish researcher or academic is accepted for publication, that is a cause for celebration. Whether the QQAAI approved the research is completely irrelevant. It is not qualified to evaluate the quality of international research when others are there to perform the task. It would be impossible to implement the measure because, as the Minister of State indicated, the members of the QQAAI will not have qualifications in advanced subjects, and the work is being done already, which is one of the problems I have with the Bill. It creates an extra layer of bureaucracy to do jobs which are being performed perfectly satisfactorily already.