Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My concern is that universities across the world are not always called universities. For example, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a world-famous university that does not have the word "university" in its title. Its reputation sells. Why can RCSI, which is well known here, not market itself as RCSI abroad without being called a university? It is a bit deceptive. My concern is for international students and their families. Down through the years and generations, the word "university" has conjured up the image of a higher qualification. We know international students are being fooled here every day at the moment. Colleges are closing without any regard for the concerns of students and their families and the amount of investment in them. I share the concern that we are keeping this going by allowing RCSI to exist here under its current name while calling itself a university abroad. Let us have a bit of standardisation on this. Has it been considered that RCSI might apply for university status here, or is that just another big problem? I ask the Minister to look at this because I know the Bill is going to the Dáil. It would be nice to be able to support this Bill, but the concerns articulated are worthy of consideration.