Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join with Senator Bacik in condemning the vile abuse, rooted in homophobia, that has been directed against the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. It is incumbent on all of us in this House to stand against the small minority in society who have little to do but engage in homophobic or, indeed, any other form of abuse. The Minister should be judged on the basis of his performance not because of what some trolls on social media decide to post about him.

I agree with the comments made by my colleague, Senator Gallagher, about bingo licences. The issue is a concern for quite a number of community organisations. I hope that in the context of Covid legislation regulations the issue is given consideration.

I agree with another Labour Party Member, Senator Hoey. I call on the new Minister at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Harris, who has responsibility for further and higher education, research, science and innovation to come here and address the House. I would like Deputy Harris to do more than just address the funding crisis and address three things. It is essential that the funding crisis in higher and further education is addressed. The third level institutions, potentially, face a shortfall of up to €500 million this year. It is going to be enormously difficult for students who are going on to third level and they will face a range of challenges when they take up college or training places this autumn. We need to discuss those plans, plus the supports for the institutions. I would like the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, to address those issues.

The next issue I wish to raise is specifically addressed in the programme for Government. I refer to the fact that the south east is now the only region without a university. The critical importance of having a university for the south east is addressed within the programme and the procedures are in place.I want to determine how the Minister will bang heads together in Waterford and Carlow to ensure we get a technological university for the south east, including a campus based in Wexford. Because this is a new Department, which will be so critical in terms of upscaling and reskilling all of our citizens, dealing with new technology and operating in the post-Covid environment, the Minister and the Department must be given the opportunity to set out their vision for the sector. This is an imaginative Department. We will see significant change because of technology, research and innovation in the coming years. It is exciting and there is an opportunity for the Minister and the Minister of State to set out their visions. Crucially, it is my belief that Ireland can become the centre of a global knowledge economy. This new Department will be essential in so doing. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to attend and address these issues.