Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why the Senator and I are determined to ensure it is not all talk. This year, we have seen the all-island apprenticeships and the ring-fenced places in nursing and therapy. From next year, we will see an all-island approach to medicine. As the Senator stated, the Atlantic Technological University, working with Magee and the bigger campus in Derry, which the Government is part-funding to the tune of tens of millions of euro, makes a difference. As regards all-island research projects, I was with the Cancer Institute recently, which is now working on an all-island basis on cancer and better treatments for patients. Real and practical things are happening. The Senator is correct, however, that the current system for admissions to universities is disadvantaging all we wish to achieve in terms of Northern Ireland students, the A levels and the system here simply not understanding that system. That needs to be fixed. Frankly, I do not care how it is fixed. I have an open mind on the subject. The universities are independent but I and my Department wish to be a force for good in fixing it. If that requires providing funding for ring-fenced places, growing the number of places or doing whatever needs to be done, we are willing to do it.

The next practical step and date in the diary is for the Universities Ireland working group to conclude its work this year. I am happy to then meet with the group and support any outcome of its work. I would very much welcome a chance to meet those young secondary school students with the Senator, hear of the practical issues they are encountering and see how we can address those issues and give the students hope that the future will be better.