Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

As Senator Barrett is aware, all external reviews are undertaken by expert panels and it is not proposed that they would be undertaken by the authority itself. The section applies to the quality procedures of universities and ensuring they are of the highest standard.

The amendment proposes to remove research activities from the quality assurance provisions of the Bill, and that is not a wise move. It is not one which I would support.