THE Universities Bill was essentially proposing state-controlled colleges, the deputy leader of Fianna Fail, Ms Mary O'Rourke, said.
She was speaking at the conclusion of the second stage debate on the Bill, which is due to go to a Dail committee next week where Opposition deputies will press for extensive amendment.
Ms O'Rourke said that under the Bill academic freedom and creativity of thought would be stifled through excessive rules and regulations. There would be ministerial rights of dismissal of staff - and rights to override university charters. There would be "guidelines" from the Department for practically every activity and the threat publication in Irish Oifiguil for unspecified misdemeanours. It would be "a far cry from Newman's idea of a university", she said.
The Bill was noteworthy for its pedestrian approach and lack of recognition towards the achievements of the universities.
Mr David Andrews (FF, Dun Laoghaire) said the Bill was sloppily drafted and, in regard to Trinity College, Dublin, sought to turn back over 400 years of university life. It contained a sweeping provision which denied the right of the TCD fellows to any say in the election of the provost unless they were members of the college board. The Minister was thus proposing to replace the existing Trinity trustees "by a regime that is better suited to a semi-state body".
Mr Trevor Sargent (Greens, Dublin North) said he was concerned that big business increasingly saw universities as part of their agenda. There was a need to redress the balance and maintain equity of involvement by the State.
Mrs Moire Geoghegan-Quinn (FF, Galway West) said the Bill should contain a declaration that the universities would have the right to freedom in the day-to-day running of their affairs. As it was drafted it sought to control routine budget management of the colleges and turn them into state bodies.