Vol. 482 No. 2
110 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint a student's representative to the board of the Higher Education Authority and to the Senate of the NUI; when vacancies next arise in this regard; whether he will seek nominations from student bodies of suitable candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17503/97]
The Universities Act, 1997 provides that the Senate of the National University of Ireland shall be constituted, inter alia, by four persons nominated by the Government, two of whom shall be women and two men.
The Higher Education Authority Act, 1971 provides that the membership of the Higher Education Authority shall comprise a chairman and not more than eighteen ordinary members of whom at least seven shall be academic members and at least seven shall be other than academic members. The ordinary members are appointed by the Government on my recommendation following consultation with the chairman of the authority.
The nominations and appointments in these cases are, therefore, a matter for the Government to determine.
