Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the public should but does not have the right to enter and use the libraries of publicly-funded universities in view of the fact that to promote learning in society generally is one of the statutory objects of a university. [20949/13]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether members of the public should have the right to enter and use the libraries in public funded universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20991/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 92 together.

The governing body and management authorities of a university are responsible for deciding its policy in relation to access by the general public to its library or other facilities and I have no role in the matter. It is a function of the university, as an independent statutory body, to determine appropriate arrangements and regulations concerning public access that are consistent with its objects under the Universities Act 1997.