Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Clearly, research outputs are very important in the higher education sector. What possibilities are there for the strengthening of collaborative research between the two partners and what role might SCoTENS play in this regard?

My second question concerns the Border region in general. Senator Jim D'Arcy referred to the link between Dundalk Institute of Technology and DCU. What cross-Border links could be developed to benefit students on both sides of the Border? I come from County Monaghan which lacked a third level campus until the VEC recently developed one. We are seeking to develop linkages with universities across the Border because it is important that students in the region, whether from Fermanagh, Monaghan, Cavan or Armagh, are served by a university. We need an outreach programme from Queen's University Belfast or the University of Ulster. I am interested in hearing the delegates ideas on how we can develop cross-Border linkages.

Senator Jim D'Arcy raised the point. In practical terms, is it the Minister for Education and Skills whom we must invite before the committee so that we can ask him how we can further develop cross-Border relationships in the education sphere? Would that be a possibility?