Dr. Joseph Ryan:

I agree with Mr. Miley on the quantum. Obviously, chances are we might be stepping up towards that as a target figure. On the question of philanthropy, yes is the answer, but it would be a slow burn to build that. There would be much regional interest and interest from people who have gone abroad in the new TUs and as more and more of their graduates come through. However, it will take time to build up that sort of association. I remember being in UCD at the time it was starting its alumni network and it was a slow build.

On the reputation of the TUs, I fully agree with the Chair. Much work has gone in over many years. When you look at the impact of the old institutes of technology on the region and on sustainability, it is a very proud record. We have to educate those who are opinion formers and opinion influencers around this. As the Chair knows, the TUs have come through a peer-evaluated and very difficult passage to prove they are worthy of this. That the recent appointment of the chair is at the level it is at is a great signifier of the promise and the worth of these institutions.