asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of his Department's plans to merge the two existing Dublin University Colleges with particular reference to the future of the copyright deposit library in Trinity College and the development of research facilities for universities and the general public; and if he intends to seek an amendment to the British Act establishing Trinity College as a copyright depository for all material published in Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Merger of Dublin University Colleges.
63.
In connection with the provision of State funds towards the cost of the New Library at Trinity College, the Board of the College has already undertaken to take measures to make their Library facilities available to the general public, to extend their technical library service to Government Departments and to commercial and industrial interests and to co-operate fully with the National Library in the maintenance of a national library service. There is every reason to believe that this situation will continue satisfactorily when the two Dublin Colleges are joined in one University.
There is no evidence that the status of the Trinity College Library as a copyright depository under current legislation will be affected by the association of TCD with UCD in a single university.
64.
asked the Minister for Education if there is to be a referendum to finalise the merger of the two Dublin University Colleges; if so, when, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Higher Education Authority has been asked to advise on the nature and form of the legislation required to give effect to the Government's decisions announced by me on 6th July, 1968, and 16th August, 1968, concerning higher education generally and higher education facilities in Dublin in particular. Until I have received the Authority's recommendations on all aspects of these matters I shall not be in a position to consider the point raised in the Deputy's question.
Will the Minister say whether he thinks there will be a referendum needed for this?
Very reasonable and sensible discussions are taking place at the moment between working parties of the Higher Education Authority and various higher education interests, the university and professional interests involved. These have been proceeding for some time.
The Government do not like referenda anyway.
Can the Minister indicate when these discussions will be completed so that a decision will be made?
It will be only a matter of two months, I would say. We will have legislation in advance of that setting up the Authority and detailed legislation will follow.
65.
asked the Minister for Education the extent to which he will recognise the opinions of Dublin students as expressed in their referenda regarding his proposals for a merger between the university colleges; and what notice will be taken of student representations as proposed at all levels of university administration.
The Higher Education Authority has invited the Students' Representative Councils of the two Colleges concerned and the Union of Students in Ireland to submit to it any views which they would desire to express concerning the future structure of higher education. The Students' Representative Councils have, in fact already submitted to the Authority their views, based on the results of the referenda they have held. These views include the matter of students representation. The Authority will, I have no doubt, give consideration to the students' submissions. I may say I am all for students representation.
Did the Minister know the result of the students' decision on this?
Yes. I have met them as well.
"Lenihan must go."
It is nice to hear it from his own side.
Where is he going? Over here?
He was never better established.