Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support what Senator Mullen said. In a very enlightened way this recognises the idea of student unions and their participation in the life of universities. Just as governing bodies and recognised institutions must respect academic freedom, so also must student unions. It is wrong that any students should face intellectual boycotts, defunding of their societies or whatever because of pressure from a student union seeking to force some of its number to conform to particular ideological goals. From that point of view, what Senator Mullen has said deserves considerable thought. His amendment should be accepted.

Regarding academic freedom and the use of short-term contracts, I happen to have some second-hand but fairly accurate observation of the effect of those short-term contracts in universities. There was a time, I think it was in this House, that the great Michael Tierney was called to book for using short-term contracts and denial of tenure. A visitor was appointed to University College Dublin to investigate whether that was happening. On occasion, some people who have tenure in universities preach what they do not quite practice themselves regarding performance targets for younger academics and research targets that they never actually achieved themselves and certainly do not implement. I ask the Minister to consider the fact that academic freedom is seriously infringed by giving people short-term contracts.