Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, I speak in support. As the Minister knows, Senator Craughwell was at the TUI conference. In terms of what the Minister has done with governing bodies, it is about ensuring that the academic and non-academic staff are represented on governing authorities.

I find what Senator Higgins said about public policy and giving the Minister more powers kind of unusual. Yet, most of the amendment she tabled are on specific areas of public policy. It is around expecting an t-údarás and the universities to adhere to requirements around the sustainable development goals, SDG, and climate. Indeed, one of the areas in which the Minister has been to the fore has been addressing questions of gender equity within higher education.

These are public policy decisions; they are not to do with academic freedom. It has no impact on what a lecturer in medicine can teach or on a business studies lecturer's approach or philosophy. Indeed, as we know, where we saw the problems with some prominent academics who, for instance, preached an anti-vaccination message in institutions, their academic freedom had to be respected. The State criticised but did not seek to interfere with institutions in that regard. On matters of public policy where we as citizens are contributing in a particular way, however, we expect a response. That is why the legislation is correct. I find it somehow odd that Senator Higgins is almost arguing against giving the Minister and the authority-----