Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Indeed. I referenced effective student representation specifically. The key point is that within this legislation, there is an acknowledgement by the Minister of the role of students. There is a challenge in ensuring we always have independent students' unions. In outlining some of the legal difficulties, I hope the Minister can assuage some of the concerns and fears because it has happened in the past that non-elected representatives were appointed to a governing authority. I agree with Senator Ruane, and the Minister and I have spoken about this, about the role of universities in promoting democracy and contributing to the democratic space.When we see what has been going on in Hungary and how, unfortunately, student unions have become puppets of the state in many other countries, it is an issue. In that regard, will the Minister give some assurances regarding this specific definition?