"WE are in danger of intellectual gridlock," says NUI Senator Joe O'Toole of the tortuous progress of the Universities Bill through the Seanad. With more than 200 amendments to be dealt with many tabled by another NUI Senator, Joe Lee - the leader of the house, Maurice Manning, agreed to extend the time for debate on Tuesday and it is now expected that the Upper House will sit through the night - an unprecedented occurrence in this parliament.
Why is a Bill, which revises the century old, administrative structure of our universities and splits the NUI colleges, causing so much trouble? Well, it is about education and intellectuals are notoriously long winded on their pet subject. And there's a Seanad election coming up 90 days after the Dail election.
It has now reached the stage that everyone is heartily sick of listening to the university Senators rabbiting on ad nauseum; the argument has gone past the boredom threshold, said one member.
Trinity Senator Shane Ross resigned from Fine Gael over the matter and no doubt sees his objections as being good for him electorally. Senator David Norris, who also voted against it at the second stage, has had a lot to say, too. Joe O'Toole says the Bill will be good for the NUI and he wants it to go through. He sought extra, time because he fears that by the time the Seanad passes it, the Dail will have been dissolved for the election and the whole weary debate will have to go forward to the new parliament.