Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will speak on the amendments that have been tabled, and follow on from what Senator Malcolm Byrne said about the advocacy role of an t-údarás. It is an agency of the Government. There is also a role for the board of an t-údarás, which is outlined in sections 15 and 16, and concerns the membership of an t-údarás. It has 11 ordinary members plus a chair, with a 40% gender balance. The section allows the board of the HEA to put policies, guidance and regulations together for HEIs and many other areas outside of this. I do not see the rationale in it being able to freely express views outside of that.

In terms of the other points raised by Senator Higgins in connection with the amendments on the funding section, Nos. 149 to 154, on the issue of guidelines, codes or policies, the Senator has just given an update on the section. I apologise, as the amendment I speak to is Senator Hoey's. The amendment relates to the trade union representatives of both academic and professional staff. It is important that the governance of the HEIs is effective. It is also important that what we do with the Bill is ensure that the funding that has been allocated will be used in a way that is going to make a difference for roles at third level. That is where we will be looking at the governance within the HEIs as well.