Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

On Committee Stage, Senator Barrett proposed an amendment to section 9(1)(b) which currently states that the authority shall "formulate national policy on quality assurance and enhancement in education and training". The effect of that amendment would have been to replace the authority's responsibility for the formulation of policy with a responsibility to guide policy. I indicated we would give further consideration to this matter with a view to bringing forward an amendment on Report Stage. In that context, amendment No. 2 will replace the authority's responsibility to formulate policy with a responsibility instead to advise the Minister in respect of policy. I hope this addresses Senator Barrett's concerns.