Third Level Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (693)

Carol Nolan

Question:

693. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an audit (details supplied) of the student code of conduct and free speech polices of a university which was conducted by a United States-based non-partisan organisation (details supplied); his views on the need to robustly protect freedom of speech and academic freedom in Irish universities and third level institutions and colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38052/22]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

The principle of academic freedom is a defining characteristic of high-quality higher education and research throughout the world.

Irish higher education institutes are independent and autonomous statutory bodies established under the Universities Act 1997, Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Institutes of Technology Act 1992 to 2006. These acts guarantee the principle of academic freedom and puts in place detailed institutional level governance arrangements for the management, operation, policies and strategy of the relevant institution.

With regard to students, the acts include objects or functions which, inter alia, foster a capacity for independent critical thinking amongst its students and promote critical and free enquiry, informed intellectual discourse and public debate.

Ireland supports academic freedom and we encourage all of our partners around the world to respect such freedoms.