Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate where Senator Barrett is coming from in terms of a Trinity College perspective and the fact that the college has good places. I served on the board of the academic council and I know the structures have been improved since then. However, I consider external review of the procedures in place across all the universities to ensure the procedures in place are right and there is some oversight and sharing of expertise at a national level to be a positive thing. As I understand it, the main function of the authority will be to support self-evaluation. I do not think it was contemplated by the previous Government or this Government that people from the authority would inspect what is taking place in individual classrooms. Its concern is to ensure that the quality control process within each institution is up to standard and continually improved. That is a positive thing because we cannot stand still on these issues. We should look at everything again in five years' time and ensure the authority has a function in disseminating what is being learned elsewhere in the world and constantly checking the processes in place.

I would be concerned if I felt the authority would meddle at the micro level implied by Senator Barrett because I appreciate the need to give people within colleges the tools to do their job instead of constantly worrying about micro-management. I genuinely do not believe that is what is contemplated. The Bill has been strongly welcomed by the Union of Students in Ireland for the reason that the processes in some institutions are very good while they could be improved in others. The authority provides the opportunity for learners to have an input into the national level. That is positive and I think it strikes the appropriate balance.