A proposal by UCC president Prof Gerry Wrixon to offer an honorary degree to outgoing AIB chief executive Michael Buckley has been withdrawn, following objections from members of the NUI Senate, which oversees the four NUI colleges, writes Alison Healy
Sources said it quickly became apparent the proposal would not get the two-thirds majority needed from the Senate's 38 members. Objectors cited the recent overcharging controversy at AIB and Mr Buckley's role in a group which reviewed high-level public service pay for the Government among their reasons for resisting the idea.
Mr Buckley, from Cork, is due to retire in April after almost four years at the helm of the bank.
It is not known if Mr Buckley was aware of the controversy as he was travelling in the US yesterday and an AIB spokeswoman said he could not be contacted. Prof Wrixon could not be contacted either.
Yesterday NUI registrar Dr Attracta Halpin said she could not comment on the issue as the process of awarding honorary degrees was sensitive and confidential. She said it would be "highly invidious" if names emerged of people who were considered but not selected for an award.
Dr Halpin said names were frequently put forward for honorary degrees and then not proceeded with for a variety of reasons.
The NUI Senate's 38 members include the chancellors of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and NUI Galway, Government appointees and people nominated by students.
It is understood that Mr Buckley's name was put forward by Prof Wrixon earlier this month but last Friday, NUI Senate members were informed by Dr Halpin that Prof Wrixon had withdrawn his proposal, following a discussion with the chancellor of the NUI, Dr Garret FitzGerald.
One Senate member said opposition to the name quickly became clear and it was felt that the award could have a negative impact on the honorary degree process. Some members took umbrage at Mr Buckley's role in the Buckley Review Group's report on third-level pay.
While the group recommended average pay rises of almost 17 per cent for higher positions in the third-level sector, it did not propose any increase in pay for the post of NUI registrar and actually questioned the need for the post. It recommended a reduction in the salary level if it was deemed that the post was still necessary.
One Senate member wrote to the registrar saying it was "highly inconsistent" that the Senate of a university which rejected the Buckley Review Group's assessment of the NUI registrar's role "should now confer the highest honour which the NUI is empowered to grant on the chairperson of that group".