Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Perhaps there is a misunderstanding as to what exactly we mean by research activities. It does not mean that the QQAAI is going to measure the effectiveness of research in areas of expertise in various faculties. One might question the propriety of certain international ranking procedures whereby our universities are ranked against others internationally, but they exist and they are used by other jurisdictions to decide on international education policy. The aim is to ensure the level of research one might require to score well in comparison with other international institutions is being researched. It is not intended to measure or quantify the quality of the research. As Senator Barrett indicated, that comes within the remit of the people carrying out the research who have expertise in those particular areas.

Research is a key function of many education and training providers and, as such, must be subject to quality assurance procedures. For example, in the area of further education and training, it is critical that we carry out in-depth research of current labour market shortages and future shortages in the next five to ten years in order that we can drive further education and training provision in the right direction. If such research were not to take place, one would have serious questions about the quality and effectiveness of the training and education being provided. Senator Barrett and I agree that the QQAAI will not sit in laboratories measuring the quality or effectiveness of in-depth research in particular fields of study, but it is important that all institutions carry out a standard of research that allows them to measure up well internationally against other institutions.