Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for his contribution. Both the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, are in the Dáil Chamber this morning for oral questions and have asked me to take this matter on their behalf.

The University of Limerick advised the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that the university's new governing authority took office on 1 October in compliance with the Higher Education Authority Act 2022. The university further advised that the governing authority held its first meeting on 8 October and, under the terms of the legislation, appointed an external member as interim chairperson pending the appointment of the chairperson.

Under the Universities Act 1997, there is a requirement for a majority vote of at least two thirds of the members of the governing authority to elect the chairperson. The Department understands that the required two thirds majority was not attained. In accordance with legislative provisions, it is a matter for the University of Limerick to appoint the chancellor of the university. The Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has no role in the appointment of the chairperson of a governing authority in a university.

The University of Limerick has corresponded with the Minister to advise that the interim chairperson remains in position and that the governing authority will continue to exercise its statutory and governance functions regarding the university pending the appointment of the chairperson. It is really important to state again that the Minister has no role whatsoever in this process. The Minister is legally prohibited from intervening.

The Department understands the University of Limerick has appointed 18 of the 19 governing authority members. A Public Appointments Service process is currently in progress for the selection of the vacant ministerial nominee.