Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to hear it is a priority because when Professor McNulty was before us the committee was really struck when he showed us a map of Europe and only three countries did not have any form of membership, including associate membership. Not to put the Minister of State on the spot but could we get a commitment today that the Department will look initially at associate membership, which is a smaller cost at €1.25 million? I know this can be doubled or trebled with the same input. The members of the joint committee were unanimous on this. At the launch four weeks ago, 21 academics from every institute of technology and university in Ireland were present and they were excited for the first time. They have been banging this drum for a long time. Over the past ten years finances have been stretched and it has been very difficult but I believe the time is right to take a step towards associate membership.