Amendments Nos. 21, 22, 31, 32, 291 and 292 are related and may be discussed together.
SECTION 7.
I move amendment No. 21:
In page 8, subsection (1), lines 17 to 19, to delete all words from and including "corresponding" in line 17, down to and including line 19 and substitute "name as decided by the relevant governing authority.".
I have addressed the concerns in this amendment tabled by Deputies Martin and Coughlan. I am not accepting amendments Nos. 21 and 31 on the Title of the Bill. The reasons are for entirely legal considerations. As the Bill will alter the legal status of the constituent colleges, it is necessary that it provides for titles which reflect that changed status. In addition, the senate of the National University of Ireland has proposed that the new constituent universities should have the titles given and should be free to extend their names as they see fit, provided it is in a manner which gives recognition to their former title. I have no objection to the objective of the Deputies' amendment but the universities should be given all the flexibility they need as regards their titles under the section I propose.
Amendment No. 22 states that the constituent universities can use their titles in either the Irish or English language as they so wish. This addresses Deputy Keogh's amendment No. 291.
Amendment No. 32 to section 10 will enable a constituent university to extend its name in such manner as it considers appropriate to indicate that it is the successor to its corresponding constituent college. The aim of this amendment, which has been sought by the institutions concerned, is to provide them with an easy method of indicating, in their incorporation as constituent universities, their connection with their former constituent colleges. It accepts the concerns expressed and addresses them in a way with which the colleges are satisfied.
The Minister is right in allowing the universities freedom which, unfortunately, they were denied in the context of the original Bill. I am happy to accept the Minister's amendments.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
I move amendment No. 22:
In page 8, subsection (1), line 17, after "name" to insert "in the English language or in the Irish language".
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 23:
In page 8, subsection (4), between lines 32 and 33 to insert the following subsection:
"(4) By virtue of this section, Dublin Institute of Technology shall become and be a university.".
Is the amendment being pressed?
Yes.
Amendment put and declared lost.
Section 7, as amended, agreed to.