David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegations. I must declare an interest as I come from Waterford city and the south east has a particular interest in this legislation as one can imagine. I arrived at this issue initially as a sceptic. I agree a university needs to behave as one and it cannot be simply a rebranding exercise. Neither can we have two tiers of institutes of technology. There must be a clear logic to this development. We can also learn from mistakes from the past. For example, the previous national spatial strategy looked correct on paper with the development of gateways and hubs. However, we ended up with too many gateways and hubs with something for everyone. The real intent of the spatial strategy was somewhat lost as a result. I hope the same does not happen with the establishment of technological universities.

I have been won over, however. The technological university approach is the right way to develop this sector. Coming from the south east, I believe Waterford should not be aping Cork, Dublin or Galway. We need a university in the south east that is embedded in the needs of enterprise and the community. The bar has been set reasonably high for the criteria that will allow that to happen. Are all the delegations satisfied that the criteria have been set to the highest standards to ensure these new technological universities will live up to their name? Are there concerns about them?

The south east is a good example of where there are several institutes of technology. With the merger of Carlow and Waterford Institutes of Technology, we must ensure we have sufficient numbers of levels 6, 7 and 8 courses with the same number as levels 9 and 10. This is an opportunity to look more holistically at education with the education and training boards in place. There are opportunities for much greater engagement and collaboration between the institutes and the boards.

I am concerned with the governance issue and the suggested role of an academic council which could compromise the role of the governing body in a technological university. What are the views of the delegations on this? I also agree head 55 will allow the Minister the unfettered right to impose ethics on higher education institutions.

It is an important issue, and many presentations were made.