Sir, - When debating the Universities Bill, perhaps the following might be taken into consideration.
On July 5th, 1979, the people approved by referendum the Seventh Amendment of the Constitution (Election of Members of Seanad Eireann by institutions of Higher Education) Bill, 1979. Votes in favour numbered 552,600, those against totalled 45,484 - a ratio of more than ten to one.
The effect of the referendum was to provide for the election by universities and other institutions of higher education specified by law of such number of members of Seanad Eireann, not exceeding six, as may be specified by law. Those so elected would be in substitution for an equal number of the members elected (three each) by the National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin.
The Bill also provided that nothing in Article 18 of the Constitution shall prohibit the dissolution by law of those universities. It is probable, therefore, that the circumscribing of the independence of Trinity College would now be legally achievable.
I should like to know, however, why it is, after a passage of 17 years and six general elections, that graduates of the University of Limerick, of Dublin City University, and of the colleges whose degrees are conferred by the National Council for Education Awards remain disenfranchised, while TCD, whinging about a possible diminution of its autonomy, still commands half of the academic seats in our national parliament. - Yours, etc.
Newcastlewest,
Limerick.