Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, the Minister spoke about wanting future legislation that deals with students' unions. If the desire to move forward is to be credible and if we are to strengthen how we think about students' unions and their role, it is important that we not move backwards. The Bill refers to a student member on the boards of governance. There is a danger that this will be a backwards step. The Universities Act refers to elected representatives of students' unions and the Technological Universities Act clearly refers to representatives nominated by students' unions under their own procedures. Both Acts cover the majority of our higher education institutions and cement in law the clear message that the voices of students' unions or those nominated by students' unions will be included and that these will be informed by a wider concern for that whole cohort. There is discussion about the board and it being competency based, but a key element of competency - or anything in terms of a board or governance system that works - is the principle of nothing about us without us. Given that students are numerically the largest part of the higher and further education institutions across Ireland, it is important that their chosen representatives - their unions, whom they elect - be in a position to put forward that voice within the boards and within governance decisions.

The Minister will be aware that we have made a number of proposals setting out ways in which we believe the Bill can address this matter. I urge him to accept them.