Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)
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I am delighted that the subject will be retained and that such support was offered. It is a fantastic college and its record in home economics is second to none, not only in Ireland but also further afield.

I have been reading the various reports from the HSE on cross-Border links. They remind me of the story of Hugh de Lacy asking Henry II how much land he could have in Ireland and being told he could have as much as he was able to conquer for himself. These cross-Border links need funding and support. How can we help specifically with funding and who can we lobby? The committee has good moral authority when we communicate on these issues.

How have the colleges found the experience of collaborating? My former school was involved in a link with a school in Markethill. On one occasion teachers from both schools were sitting down together with an inspector from Belfast in attendance. The inspector said she was doubtful about the project until she overheard the teachers having a chat. Sometimes the gaps between sentences contain the meaning. Have the delegates found the experience useful in terms of strategies for teaching and learning and comparing notes? Dundalk Institute of Technology and DCU have drawn up a memorandum of understanding which is leading to shared degrees and other research links. Where do the delegates see the memorandum of understanding between their institutions proceeding?