asked the Minister for Education if he has appointed a working party to prepare legislation on higher education; if so, the members of this working party; and when they will report to him.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Working Party.
21.
I would refer the Deputy to my announcement of 23rd September, 1976, a copy of which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Statement by the Minister for Education.
In the field of higher education in particular and of education generally there is now a considerable body of Government decisions which requires legislative enactment. I am anxious, naturally to get the legislative processes under way and in order to get on with the job I have asked the Higher Education Authority to set up with me a joint working party to draft the heads of an Education Act. We have, in fact, set up the working party which I will chair and which consists of an officer of my Department, the chairman and secretary of the Higher Education Authority and five persons from the university colleges. I want to stress that the members of the working party are not here as representatives of the colleges in which they serve: we asked for them because of their experience in college administration.
The membership of the working party could be extended if found necessary.
The problems of higher education have been under discussion for a very considerable time. The Government's intentions in the various matters have been before the public for a long time and I have received a very substantial body of comment. It is fair to say that discussion and comment have gone on for long enough: that it is now time for action. I intend to move forward on the Bill as quickly as I can.
September 23, 1976
Members of Working Party: Reverend Professor Michael Enda McDonagh, BSc, LPH, DD, DCL, Maynooth College, Director of Post-Graduate Studies in Theology; Dr. David Ian Dickson Howie, BSc (ST. AND) MA, PhD(ST. AND), Vice-Provost, Trinity College; Dr. Tadhg Ó Ciardha, MA, PhD (Lond), Registrar, University College Cork; S. Ó Cathail, MA, Academic Secretary, University College Galway; Mr. Joseph P. MacHale, BA, MCOMM, FCA, Secretary & Bursar, University College Dublin; S. Ó Conchobhair, Cathaoirleach, An tÚdarás um Árd-Oideachas; Mr. J. Dukes, Rúnaí, An tÚdarás um Árd-Oideachas; L. Ó Laidhin, BComm, DPA, Department of Education.
Is there any representative of the technological colleges on the committee?
Does the Deputy mean the presently constituted committee or the committee as extended when necessary, as outlined in my statement?
I refer to the committee that is sitting at present.
The committee sitting at present is dealing with matters which will not directly bear on technological education. When we come to deal with matters on technological education we will widen the membership of the committee suitably.
Would the Minister agree that there is an enmeshing of the technological sector with the university sector at present, in accordance with the Minister's policy? Consequently, are not all decisions of this committee relevant to the technological sector also?
The picture will be completed when all the members whom I shall invite will be there.
Are there any representatives of the colleges of education on this committee?
Not directly.
Why?
Because their presence is not required as of this moment.