David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in expressing concern regarding the drop in the world ratings of Irish universities. This calls for careful examination of the criteria by which universities are judged. I am unsure whether the Times Higher Education group actually has the right criteria. I am unsure whether it has the tools to measure the performance of the universities. That said, the consistent drop is something and it is substantial in both cases, although Trinity has not dropped quite as disastrously as UCD. Domestic factors are involved in this regard. We are operating at approximately 45% of the state funding of the highest universities. The entire university system has changed since I was an undergraduate in Trinity. The university community is now seven times what it then was, which is an astonishing figure. Moreover, in the case of Trinity, it is on the same small island site, generally speaking. Consequently, the relationship between staff and students has been weakened. In my day, there were three terms, namely, Trinity, Michaelmas and Hilary, there were seven weeks in each term and six students in each tutorial group. The first of the seven weeks was used to discuss the course in general and to pick up subjects on which the student was to write essays, and over the next six weeks, the essays were presented and were critiqued by the academic and student colleagues. I believe this has largely been watered down and I believe it was one of the factors that gave Trinity its pre-eminence. I express concern, therefore, although I am unsure how much can be done in respect of funding. Governments tend to operate on fairly short-term strategies, and as for investing in the universities with the intention of making money, it certainly will but it is a long-term prospect. It is a worrying situation which Members should keep their eye on. I am glad my colleagues have raised this issue.