Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will echo that. There are many positive aspects of the Bill, so it makes me sad that there was a clear mindset from the beginning that the Bill was to be pressed through without amendment. Those watching will see all of these Report Stage amendments, but it is not usual to have so many. There were so many largely because clear and constructive proposals had not been taken on board. For example, the Government could have listened to the Committee Stage debate and reverted with amendments of its own. We would all have been open to that because, when we make points, we usually do so constructively. If the Government takes them on board or wishes to take ownership of them, we often accept the Government's amendments over our own.

The Minister of State took points on board during debates on previous Bills, for example, the knowledge development box legislation, although she was in a different role at the time. The Seanad's amendments to that and other Bills strengthened them. It is regrettable that the House, which has an important contribution to make, was not afforded a proper and appropriate opportunity to amend this legislation. The process has been longer and more painful than would have been necessary had there been full, genuine and constructive engagement throughout. With absolute respect for the Minister of State and the many issues where we share common cause, particularly gender equality, I urge her to come forward with genuine openness the next time she lays legislation before the House. She can see how our Report Stage amendments consistently took on board her feedback, yet many of them were still not given fair consideration.

It is a sad footnote to what should have been the good news story of new technological universities across the western seaboard and elsewhere that the reasonable demands from students in terms of representation were not adequately addressed. However, the Bill has many positive measures.