Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 925: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views relating to the fact that businesses in this country can register in the name of their business university, and the potential that this provides in terms of allowing companies to be established as alleged universities; if she has had discussions with other colleagues in Government in connection with this matter; her views on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1218/08]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 971: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the continued operation of a bogus academic institution calling itself the Irish International University which offers substandard worthless degrees and has been allowed to flourish in the United Kingdom for the past seven years; if she will confirm that her Department has never given approval under existing Irish law for the use of the word university in its title; if, having regard to the damage to the reputation of Irish universities and academics internationality, she will take legal action, under existing legislation, to deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1465/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 925 and 971 together.

Section 52 of the Universities Act 1997 prohibits the use of the terms 'University' where the organisation is engaged in the provision of education services unless the Minister for Education and Science consents to the use of the term. Approval has not been given for the use of the term "university" in the title of the institution referred to in the question and my Department has contacted the body concerned on a number of occasions, explaining the legislative requirement for such approval and requesting them to desist from the use of the term "university" in its title.

The existence of organisations of the type referred to by the Deputy is contrary to the interests of Ireland's higher education institutions, which have sought to preserve the high international standing and reputation for quality which our system enjoys. In this regard a number of steps have been taken to prevent the unauthorised use of the term "university".

Following an approach from my Department the Companies Registration Office has put in place a procedure whereby any business name applied for which features the term "university" will not be accepted without the express approval of my Department. The Irish Domain Registry has also agreed not to register web addresses containing the term "university" without reference to the Department. Officials of my Department and the relevant agencies are considering a number of other options, including the scope for legal action, with a view to strengthening the Department's position in dealing with such commercial organisations.