Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Power. The standard-setting procedure is provided for in section 27. An authority, particularly in the case of universities, does not intend to get involved with the day-to-day management of universities or the design and delivery of programmes. It can ensure quality assurance procedures are in place which provide for a significant and effective level of student consultation. The Bill provides for the authority to set out exactly what that might look like for students and institutions, and ensures there is equity of access for students to quality assurance procedures. It also provides for the standards to apply equally and effectively across the system from levels 1 to 10.