Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is good to meet Professor Ó Néill and Mr. Hannigan. I want to echo what speakers have already said about recognising the spirit of co-operation between Letterkenny IT and Magee campus, which is very important, and about the shared island unit commitments, "New Decade, New Approach" and the medical school. Many of the questions I want to ask have already been touched on.

What is the status of the technological university application? Do the witnesses think it will be ready by the end of the year? Perhaps we could have an update on progress. In regard to the expansion of Magee campus to 10,000 students, are there timelines or is there a strategic plan around that?

With regard to the medical school, the additional medical student courses and the GPs that are so badly needed, is any integration planned between Altnagelvin and Letterkenny hospitals and how would that work? I am delighted to hear the medical school will be opening in August 2021.

I want to echo what Mr. Eastwood said about having a full-scale university in Derry. For me, that goes back to the 1960s and the campaign from John Hume and Eddie McAteer. I would like to hear the witnesses’ thoughts on that and on how it sits within all of this.

With regard to incubation hubs, the technological university in Blanchardstown has an incubator. This is fantastic in supporting start-ups, which is very good for the development of SMEs in Dublin West. Where is the potential for that in the north west? How is remote learning going? Will these institutions be integrating this into their teaching in terms of employment going forward, given many jobs will be done remotely in the future? Where does the university align with that?