Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Cussen. This is probably one of the most exciting educational projects of our time. Its potential is still hidden. The work of the old institutions that sat on the site, rather than being cast aside, is being built on to develop programmes of work to address the challenges of this century. The old vocational education committee structure founded in the 19th century was very innovative in terms of address of the challenges of the industrial revolution and the educational responses to it in terms of training people and bringing them to new realms of skills. As I said, this is the most exciting project to come on stream in a very long time. I wish it every success.

I welcome the opportunity provided by this meeting to discuss the liaisons between the old and the new, old skills, new skills and so on. It breaks down all the old barriers of class and academic versus technological expertise. It is a significant project which must be supported. We must do all we can in terms of funding and so on to ensure it is a success.