Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 7, line 19, to delete “a special interest or” and substitute “an international reputation and”.

This amendment deals with the appeals board. The provision states the Minister can make the choice "from among persons who have a special interest in...". The purpose of the amendment is to ensure it is of a higher standard. Rather like what Senator David Cullinane said, we want to have a person with an international reputation to chair and be a member of the appeals board. As the Senator said, the institutes of technology are going through a very demanding process. Therefore, it is not right to have an appeals board comprising persons with qualifications who are defined as having "a special interest in...". I might have a special interest in medicine, but I have no qualifications to say whether a place should qualify as such a university. The amendment seeks further safeguards. Having an international reputation would be ideal. In Irish education a lot will depend on the calibre of those making decisions.