Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons for his stated opinion that the exclusion as a rule of the public from the library of University College Dublin is not at variance with its statutory objective to promote learning in society generally. [29172/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities are autonomous statutory bodies and the management and operation of their facilities is therefore the responsibility of the college authorities. I, as Minister for Education and Skills, have no role in such matters. University libraries are provided primarily for use by students and staff and it is a function of the university alone to determine appropriate arrangements and regulations concerning public access where this is practical. I understand that UCD does facilitate access to its library by members of the public for genuine scholarly and research purposes.
