David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Did the Minister indicate, in respect of paragraph (a), that there would not be any point in having one particular interest group represented? The whole Bill is about a single interest group - the universities are the only interest group in this case. The grocery federation of Ireland is not poking its nose into this issue. It is the reputation of the universities that will be affected by whatever decision the Minister makes. If he or she recognises an institution that is not properly a university and this decision causes difficulty, it will inflict reputational damage on the universities. As the institutions that are recognised as universities, they should have a say in the matter. Universities are not some kind of Johnny-come-lately rushing into the fray; they are centrally and directly involved in this issue. I refute the Minister's statement that one cannot have various and diverse interests involved. The universities are the central theme of the legislation.