I move amendment No. 25: In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(h) promote the development of public research for the public good which addresses social and environmental needs.”.

I move amendment No. 26: In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(h) promote and support the development of public-public partnerships for research between designated higher education institutions and public bodies both in Ireland and internationally.”.

I move amendment No. 27: In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(h) enable and assist research sharing and technology transfer between designated higher education institutions and public bodies in line with and with due regard to Article 4(1)(g) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”.

I move amendment No. 28: In page 16, to delete lines 19 and 20 and substitute the following: “(c) ensure financial transparency in designated higher education institutions and effective expenditure of An tÚdarás of public monies provided to it,".

The majority of the amendments in this grouping relate to the functions of an t-údarás, the next section of the Bill which flows after the section concerning the objects of an t-údarás. In respect of the really important section concerning the objects of an t-údarás, the body which will oversee higher education across this State, I put forward 14 amendments and would have been entitled, if I so wished, to call vótáil on all of them. It would not be appropriate for any Member of the House to question my rights to do…

I wish to raise a point of order.

The Minister of State indicated areas of the Bill that could address these issues. There are provisions in the Bill where these things could be addressed. What I was trying to do by putting these provisions into the functions is ensure they would be addressed and cement them in that way. On amendment No. 28, the Minister of State has indicated that there is potential for the inclusion of provisions around ethical issues and sustainability in what constitutes appropriate spending codes. I may engage further on that …

I move amendment No. 34: In page 16, line 26, after “business,” to insert “the environment,”.

I move amendment No. 35: In page 17, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(n) promote co-operation between higher education institutions in the European Union and internationally for the purposes of advancing public research and development which seeks to address social and economic inequalities and environmental challenges and climate change,”.

I move amendment No. 37: In page 17, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(n) promote, support and respect academic freedom for staff and students,”.

I move amendment No. 38: In page 17, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(n) promote and support public research and development in relation to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,”.

I move amendment No. 40: In page 17, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(o) monitor and assist the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in particular Article 24, across designated higher education institutions,”.

I move amendment No. 42: In page 18, line 3, to delete “or expedient” and substitute “and proportionate”.

I suggest that amendment No. 45 be included in this grouping. It relates to the same matter and will save us some duplication.

I move amendment No. 43: In page 18, to delete lines 12 to 14 and substitute the following: “(2) An tÚdarás shall comply with any directions concerning the engagement of consultants and advisers which may from time to time be given to it by the Minister, given with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and any such engagements shall be subject to an appropriate and transparent process.”.

Amendments Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, all seek to address the language in a section which I am concerned about. It states, "An tÚdarás shall comply with any directions concerning the engagement of consultants and advisers which may from time to time be given to it by the Minister". There are a number of sections in this Bill in which the Minister's powers are very wide. They are framed in a somewhat loose way. There should not be a risk in the legislation of a situation whereby a Minister is able to direct an t-údar…

It should be in the next grouping. I apologise for that.

We can come to it shortly. I accept the intent of the legislation. The Minister of State referred to an appropriate and transparent process. That language was not included. I imagine it was the intent but it is not included. I will not dwell further on it. The concern about excessively widely-framed language is more significant with regard to the next section. I will probably not press amendments Nos. 44 and 45, but I might press amendment No. 43 to explicitly refer to that appropriate and transparent process.

I am not clear what is happening. What is the position with amendment No. 45?

I move amendment No. 46: In page 18, lines 21 and 22, to delete from and including “(1) The” in line 21 down to and including line 22 and substitute the following: “(1) The Minister may give a direction in writing to An tÚdarás, following consultation with the Board of An tÚdarás, for any purpose relating to this Act and concerning—”. Amendment Nos. 46, 47, 48 and 50 are all related to the powers in terms of the giving of ministerial direction to an t-údarás. I just want to check the grouping on whether it also cov…