David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a key issue. One of the strengths of a university is that it has autonomy and is able to borrow and invest. If existing universities can borrow while technological universities cannot borrow, we do not have a level playing field. That feeds into the concerns that those who are against technological universities have. They may have other reasons too. I want to see it happen but I have a concern about technological universities not being on a par with existing universities. Is baseline funding for research and development in the legislation?