THE response to the Universities Bill has been generally positive, although university heads are unlikely to publish their views before next month.
The Conference of Heads of Irish Universities said its members need time to study the Bill in detail and that, following consultation, they could "express their views on the proposed legislation".
The registrar of the National University of Ireland, Dr John Nolan, said his organisation welcomed the amendment of the NUI legislation as promised in the Government's White Paper of 1995.
"The external examining of courses will still be a function of the NUI and the degrees awarded will continue to be the degrees of the NUI," he said.
Mr Fergus Finnegan, president of the student union in Trinity College Dublin, said he was pleased with the Bill's provision that voting rights should be extended to up to three student members of governing authorities. At present, four students, including one postgraduate, attend meetings of the Trinity board but have only observer status.
"We are very pleased to have voting rights under the new legislation and we are quite satisfied that a representation of three students is adequate," said Mr Finnegan. He is satisfied that the board would have a say in the appointment of external members.
It is believed that the composition of the Trinity board is no longer a major concern. Under the terms of the private Bill being sponsored by Trinity with Government support, the college board is likely to have up to three external appointees, including one from a business background, a representative of the regional education board and one ministerial appointee to be agreed in consultation with the Provost.
The Union of Students in Ireland strongly welcomed the Bill, in particular the provision for statutory student representation on governing authorities, although it said the maximum of three students was below the European average.