Clare senator raises concerns over failure to elect new Chancellor at University of Limerick

CONCERNS have been raised in the Seanad over the failure of the governing authority of University of Limerick to elect a new Chancellor.

Senator for county Clare Timmy Dooley raised the matter after following the failure of the authority to agree on the appointment of a successor for former Chancellor Mary Harney, whose term ended on September 30 this year.

He said he is concerned that, following conversations with staff in UL, there would be a move to persuade those who had voted against the candidate put forward by the university to "revisit the decision", and that "a level of intense lobbying will begin to try to browbeat people who made, in good judgment, a decision not to appoint the individual concerned."

Under the Universities Act 1997, any candidate for the role of chancellor must secure a two thirds majority (in a vote) in order to be elected. There are 19 seats on the governing authority, but one seat is presently vacant and awaiting an appointment by Minister Simon Harris.

The sole candidate put forward for the role is understood to have received 11 votes, with 7 against, in the vote that was held at the first meeting of the new governing authority which took place on October 8.

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"There is some history about the appointment of the same individual to another board of the State where there was intense lobbying, up to and including telephone calls to the Taoiseach at the time, Leo Varadkar, to secure a particular position for that individual," Senator Dooley told the Seanad.

"There is real concern among members of the authority and staff of the university that the same will apply here, that a level of behind-the-scenes lobbying, cajoling and jostling will be deployed to achieve this position for the individual concerned," he continued.

Senator Dooley said his concerns now revolve around the 19th seat on the governing authority, which is set to be filled by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris. 

"The concern of some within the university is that the Minister and Government will be lobbied to appoint somebody who will be favourably disposed towards the person who has already been rejected. That would be wrong. I want an assurance from the Minister of State that will not happen."

Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler responded to Senator Dooley on behalf of Minister Harris. 

She stated that the public appointments process is currently in progress for the selection of ministerial nominees, with a assessment meeting is scheduled for next week.

However, she said that the Minister for Higher Education had no influence on the appointment of a Chancellor for UL.

"It is really important to state that the Minister has no role whatsoever in this process. The Minister is legally prohibited from intervening."