asked the Minister for Education whether the Government accepts the findings of the Board of Visitors that the President of University College, Dublin, has been in breach of the statutes of the College in not taking the necessary steps with regard to vacant professorships and lectureships in the College; and, if so, what steps the Government have taken or propose to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - University College, Dublin: Findings of Board of Visitors.
10.
I have already made clear to the Oireachtas the Government's position in relation to the report in question and the steps taken or to be taken accordingly by the Government. In accordance with the Charter and Statutes of the University there is no question of the Government being called upon to take action in relation to the specific finding referred to by the Deputy other than the bringing of it to the notice of the Senate of the University, which action has been taken.
May I ask the Minister, in view of the fact that these posts are left unfilled and have not been extinguished, has he given any time limit to the Senate of the University by which they must be filled?
The actual authority in the case would be the Senate of the University itself. There would be no time limit to be fixed by the Government for the filling of appointments. As the Deputy knows, appointments are created by statute and the posts may be extinguished by statute. It is not a function of the Government.
Is it not a fact that in not seeking to fill or extinguish these posts the President of the College is acting in defiance of the statute? Has the Minister taken any steps to see that the President carries out his duties in regard to these posts?
As I said, the question seems to be the concern of the Senate of the National University and I have informed the Senate of the findings of the Board of Visitors.
May I ask is it not a fact that a considerable number of these unfilled statutory posts are the relics of the amalgamation of the College of Science with University College, Dublin, carried out as far back as 1924 or 1925, with consequent duplication of many posts which was resolved by allowing the occupant of a duplicated post to live out his period of service and then not to reappoint the duplicating professor?
That seems to be an entirely different matter.
I would ask the Minister is that a fact?
Further arising out of the Minister's reply, is it a fact that it is the President's responsibility either to seek to fill the posts or seek to have the posts, to which Deputy Dillon referred, extinguished, and he has not discharged this function?
I think the duty of the President is to inform the Vice Chancellor and the Governing Body of the vacancies——
Has he done that?
As I said this is a matter for the Senate of the University.