Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Táim anseo, go raibh maith agat, Cathaoirleach. I echo Mr. Hannigan's comments about welcoming the continued commitments of the technological sector to providing access to education. I understand that much profile is often given to one access programme but the institutes of technology and technological universities, TUs, have a very strong emphasis on access and always have. It is fair to say, across a variety of matrices, that Letterkenny probably has one of the best records, if not the best, and that should never be lost.

I will ask a number of questions of our guests, starting with Professor Cusack. I congratulate her on her appointment. We are talking here about the future of the TU sector. The creation of Munster Technological University, MTU, has provided an opportunity for the Cork and Kerry regions and will be transformative. Those of us from the south east are looking forward to similar developments, as are others in other regions. We are looking forward to chatting around that issue. To be slightly parochial, I will come to Dr. Mulcahy and talk about a concern I know that the Chairman shares. Dr. Mulcahy might provide us with an update on the Wexford campus. We, across parties, are happy with the progress that is being made towards the TU in the south east. I certainly think it will be beneficial.

I have a more general question that Professor Cunnane or Dr. Ryan might want to address around the sector. As they are aware, the national development plan, NDP, is currently being reviewed. What messages would they be giving to Government on priorities around the review of the NDP? They will also know that a review is going on around the role of the Higher Education Authority, HEA, and university governance. What are the major changes that our guests would like to see happen in that sector?

I will also follow on from a question asked by Senator Mullen. We have continued to expand the sector but if additional public funding is not made available, should we then look at a cap on the numbers of students in higher education or allow continued expansion and the possible impact that has on quality?