Sir, - If ever there was a case to be made for reforming universities in line with the proposals outlined in the Universities Bill, the self interested, protectionist comments of Shane Ross (Irish Times, September 13th), with regard to Trinity College, Dublin in particular, make it all the more necessary and pressing.
Firstly, nowhere does Shane Ross in the report even consider that the function of university might be to educate this country's students. That function needs to be democratically accountable to citizens and taxpayers, not remain under the control of a small body of (largely) men accountable, ostensibly, to no one in their decision making and spending of other people's resources.
Secondly, with regard to the State keeping its "greasy paws away from universities, can I take it that Senator Ross is now promoting the idea that in the interests of preserving their "ethos", universities (especially Trinity) refuse to undertake research projects (particularly economic research) for the State and not soil themselves with taxpayers' greasy lucre? - Yours, etc.,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
PS.- If so, I would like to leave the honour of informing Sean Barrett and his colleagues in the TCD Economic Department about the latter point to Senator Ross.