Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

King's College London is ranked No. 16. Also listed is the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. Therefore, I am somewhat sceptical about the fixation with titles, although not to the extent of opposing the proposal.

As the Minister was queried about in her interview, TCD had a rather strange fixation with titles during the year.

My starting point would be that the Royal College of Surgeons does have this level of attainment and accomplishment. Can the Bill strengthen that? Do we strengthen the Minister's hand in case people who are not as distinguished, qualified or eminent find loopholes in this Bill? If somebody sets up the "Trinity Economics University", it will be very difficult to prevent that damaging the high standing that Irish higher education has. That is the spirit in promoting the intention behind this Bill and the reason I put down my amendments.

Under amendment No. 1, "education provider" in the Bill is a person in the State who provides a programme of education and training. The amendment we have put down states that, " "education provider” means for the purposes of this legislation an educational institution in the State which provides a programme of education and training at levels 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the National Qualifications Framework;". In other words, the work we are doing, the work the Minister is doing and the work her Department is doing warrant a stronger definition than the one in the Bill. This is why I have put down amendment No. 1 and I propose it to the House in that spirit.