Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

A number of considerations arise. There should be some distinctiveness among the names of universities. We do not want confusion between the title of a new university and that of an established university. It would be useful to obtain the views of the universities and an tÚdarás on that issue. There are signs of such confusion in the Dublin area where there will be a technological university of Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin. It would, therefore, be a good idea to ensure some differentiation between the names of new places and those of existing ones. It may reflect badly on an incumbent if it is confused with a new entrant that has been approved under these proposals. I am glad that the Minister has accepted that the observations of an tÚdarás should be published. Let us have distinctive institutions, rather than allowing many to have much the same name, as has tended to be the case until now.