31. (1) The Minister, within 30 days of receipt of an application under section 29, shall forward the application to An tÚdarás and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland with a direction in writing to each to nominate at least 3 persons having a special interest or expertise in, or knowledge of, matters relating to higher education, at least two of whom shall have expertise at an international level in standards and practice in higher education, for appointment by the Minister to an advisory panel under subsection (3).

(2) Within 60 days of the direction of the Minister under subsection (1), An tÚdarás and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland shall furnish their nominations to the Minister.

(3) The Minister, within 30 days of the receipt of the later of the nominations furnished under subsection (2), shall appoint from amongst those nominees an advisory panel of at least 3 persons, at least two of whom shall have expertise at an international level in standards and practice in higher education (in this section referred to as an “advisory panel”), to assess the application under section 29, and shall furnish the application under section 29 to the advisory panel.

(4) For the purposes of its assessment and report under this Chapter, the advisory panel may consult with the applicant institutes concerned, An tÚdarás, the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, and any other person or body it considers appropriate.