Sir, - It is a testament to the vision of those who drafted the Irish Universities Bill in 1908 that the checks and balances contained there have endured for the best part of this century. Should the Bill before the Dail be passed in its present form, one consequence will be a substantial increase in the portion of political nominees on the governing bodies of the NUI colleges, and in the case of TCD, the introduction of political appointees for the first time.
In UCD, where I am employed in an administrative role, much effort has gone into ensuring that appointment to academic posts is carried out in a fair and transparent manner. Your report (November 18th) suggests that political interference in the appointment process is already regarded as a problem in the VEC sector.
As Ireland approaches the 21st century, many of the traditional avenues for the exercise of political patronage are being closed. It would be foolish to risk the creation of another. - Yours, etc,
Chemistry Department
University College, Dublin,
Belfield, Dublin 4.