Seriously, are we now at a point where FG will oppose for the sake of opposing. I am all in favour of a decent bit of opposition but I am hearing more and more of people fed up with blanket opposition.Originally Posted by David Cochrane
As a graduate of the NUI I support this move. There Brian at least one graduate agrees with the decision. Why the hell do we need to be consulted anyway. Why draw a distinction between graduates of the NUI and of the other institutions.
I'd assume the role and function of NUI will be merged with NQAI, HETAC and FETAC to form a single agency.
Still, 3million in savings.............. has the Dept of Education done a cost-benefit analysis?
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It depends on what grounds he is basing his criticism. I personally think that provided it is done properly that the NUI is no longer necessary and in principle its legal abolition is to be welcomed.
Dan Sullivan. I was back but we still couldn't all have a vote.
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It says nothing about how the 3 Seanad seats would be filled if a university was dissolved.
You might notice that in the piece you link to that Batt refers in the last paragraph to working with the department of the Environment which suggests we should see a statement in the next while about legislation being produced to allow for changes to the 6 senate seats. If there is no NUI then there is no NUI panel.
The whole point of the wording of the 1979 referendum was that in granted to the Oireachtas the power to alter the composition of the electorate for the 6 3rd level seats that no institution could claim it as giving their existence constitutional protection. This was aimed at TCD at the time, which was talked about as merging with UCD as its Arts wing. Ironic that it is the NUI that has gone not TCD.
Dan Sullivan. I was back but we still couldn't all have a vote.
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relevant section of the McCarthy Report (Vol.II, page 70):
D. 10 Abolition of National University of Ireland
Progress is being made towards the amalgamation of Higher Education & Training Awards Council (HETAC), Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) into one body. It is likely that the qualifications functions of the NUI in relation to its constituent universities and recognised colleges will also be amalgamated into the new qualifications body. Once these functions are removed from the NUI, its remaining functions would consist of the following:
• Printing parchment for the making of awards itself and for the making of NUI awards by the constituent universities;
• Bestowing prizes and bursaries across the constituent universities of the recognised colleges;
• Maintaining a register of NUI graduates and undertaking the elections for the NUI seats on Seanad Éireann; and
• Supporting Convocation of the NUI.
It is not considered that the remaining functions of the NUI would sustain the existence of the body.
It is recommended accordingly that the NUI be abolished and its remaining functions transferred to another existing body as necessary. This should result in savings of the order of €3m a year.
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McCarthy's recommendations followed from an earlier (May 2009) Consultation Document from the Dept. of Education and Science, which advocated the amalgamation of existing Qualifications and Quality Control bodies.
Responding to this Consultation Document, NUI said:
While the main purpose of the Consultation Paper is to propose new arrangements for external quality assurance in further and higher education, and while the Budget announcement in November 2008 referred merely to ‘discussions with the National University of Ireland around the possibility of including some of the related functions of the NUI in the new organisation’ the DES document goes far beyond this. In essence the document must be seen as ultimately proposing the dismantling of a federal university which has been a significant national institution and setting aside over one hundred years of history, tradition and a shared culture, together with a shared brand
developed over the history of the University and which enjoys high
international status.
Such a proposal would seem to run counter to the policies pursued both nationally and at European level of promoting inter-university collaboration. NUI provides a vehicle through which the NUI Constituent Universities can readily come together for collaborative purposes. NUI suggests that rather than proposing to dismantle a structure which has been effective for over a hundred years, DES rather should envisage expanding the NUI federal university and providing the opportunity for other Irish universities and higher
education institutions to form links with the National University of Ireland.
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If the motive is to save money, then get rid of the Seanad altogether. It's undemocratic!
According to the grapevine, Hugh Brady will be pleased (& also Wikipedia - "University College Dublin president, Dr.Hugh Brady has expressed the opinion that the National University system, is perhaps outdated and needs to either be overhauled or dissolved.[citation needed]").
Batt's move will remove obstacle to further integration between UCD & Trinity as driven by Brady.
RTE News: UCD, Trinity announce Innovation Academy
Irish Times: UCD is big winner in merger
What should the combined UCD / TCD be known as?
Toward 2016...in a handcart
The college of Entitlement?
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