Vol. 506 No. 4
30 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he has taken to fulfil the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to establish renewed respect for the principle of academic freedom and autonomy at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15606/99]
As the Deputy will be aware, institutions were very concerned about the implications for academic autonomy of certain proposals of the last Government. In all of this Government's dealing with institutions we have respected this principle. Crucially we have increased the ability of institutions to focus on developing and protecting the quality of their courses.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has taken the unprecedented step of devolving the allocation of a £190 million research programme to an objective international review procedure.
