Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

As this body is set up, others will be dissolved. There could be a saving of money by setting up this body because other awarding bodies will be replaced. Therefore, the economic argument does not hold up.

The universities are outstanding institutions. I am disappointed that no Irish university ranks in the top 100 but I understand staffing ratios are a factor. There are other factors such as how one is perceived by one peers. External oversight of an award system was referred to, but Senator Power said that universities and other institutions can still be responsible for quality within their institutions. Even the universities are funded by the taxpayer.